262 Crows 



cornstalk blind. One morning before daylight I 

 placed the owl upon the post, and concealed myself 

 in the blind. Just at the break of day I heard the 

 distant cawing of crows, and a little later a crow 

 came flying over the meadow and espied the owl. 

 Circling high in air, he uttered three short, sharp, 

 and loud notes of "Caw, caw, caw!" This he re- 

 peated several times in the same manner. In five 

 minutes other crows had joined him, and soon there 

 were twenty, or more, circHng, cawing, and diving 

 at the owl. This continued for about two hours, 

 until the band finally dispersed. During this time 

 twelve crows had been within easy gunshot. 



A few days later, just at dark, the owl was placed 

 upon the post. In the morning, shortly after the 

 crows had collected, I arrived upon the scene and 

 went into the blind. The crows remained about for 

 some time, but not one came within gunshot. The 

 owl was again taken in, and several days later was 

 placed upon the post at dark. In the morning I 

 appeared with a friend, and we entered the blind 

 together. The crows kept out of gunshot for half 

 an hour, and then my friend left. Within a short 

 time the crows were back again in full force, diving 

 at the owl within easy gunshot. These manoeuvres, 

 with various modifications, I repeated several times. 



