CROW. 129 



their general diurnal retreats and roosts. Swallows, Blackbirds, 

 Rice Birds, and Crows seem always to prefer the low shelter of 

 reed-flats. On the River Delaware, in Pennsylvania, there are 

 two of these remarkable Crow-roosts. The one mentioned by 

 Wilson is an island near Newcastle called the Pea- Patch, — a 

 low, flat, alluvial spot, just elevated above high-water mark, 

 and thickly covered with reeds, on which the Crows alight 

 and take shelter for the night. Whether this roost be now 

 occupied by these birds or not, I cannot pretend to say ; but in 

 December, 1829, I had occasion to observe their arrival on 

 Reedy Island, just above the commencement of the bay of that 

 river, in vast numbers ; and as the wind wafted any beating 

 vessel towards the shore, they rose in a cloud and filled the 

 air with clamor. Indeed, their vigilant and restless cawing 

 continued till after dark. 



Creatures of mere instinct, they foresee no perils beyond 

 their actual vision ; and thus, when they least expect it, are 

 sometimes swept away by an unexpected destruction. Some 

 years ago, during the prevalence of a sudden and violent north- 

 east storm accompanied by heavy rains, the Pea- Patch Island 

 was wholly inundated in the night ; and the unfortunate Crows, 

 dormant and bewildered, made no attempts to escape, and 

 were drowned by thousands, so that their bodies blackened the 

 shores the following day for several miles in extent. 



The Crows, like many other birds, become injurious and 

 formidable only in the gregarious season. At other times they 

 live so scattered, and are so shy and cautious, that they are 

 but seldom seen. But their armies, like all other great and 

 terrific assemblies, have the power, in limited districts, of 

 doing very sensible mischief to the agricultural interests of the 

 community ; and in consequence, the poor Crows, notwith- 

 standing their obvious services in the destruction of a vast host 

 of insects and their larvae, are proscribed as felons in all civil- 

 ized countries, and, with the wolves, panthers, and foxes, a 

 price is put upon their heads. In consequence, various means 

 of ensnaring the outlaws have been had recourse to. Of the 

 gun they are very cautious, and suspect its appearance at the 



VOL. I. — 9 



