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JAMES CROW 



His name was not Jim, but James Crow ; and 

 a very dignified gentleman he looked as he walked 

 across the lawn all dressed in black, and cawing 

 gently to himself. 



He was a very young bird when we bought him 

 from a ragged little boy in the country. 



After we had bought him we put him in an old 

 soft hat, closfed the brim gently over him and car- 

 ried him home in that fashion. 



He was very quiet all the way, and when we 

 released him at last he sat all crouched together 

 for a while. Then he straightened himself out and 

 began to settle his wings and to look about him 

 with his round bright eyes. 



Some food was brought In, and a piece was 

 offered to him. James gulped it down greedily, 

 and immediately all timidity or strangeness was for- 

 gotten. 



He opened his beak wide, spread his wings, and 

 stooped his body, all the while cawing and crying 

 wildly to us for more. 



That was James' first introduction to the house, 



