Something bright dropped from the excited 

 flock, and a single crow swooped after it ; 

 but I was too much interested in the rush 

 to note what became of him. The clamor 

 ceased abruptly. The crows, after a short 

 practice in rising, falling and wheeling to 

 command, settled in the pines on both sides 

 of the field, where they had been before. 

 And there in the hickory was another crow 

 with the same bright, flashing 

 thing in his beak. 



There was a long wait this time, 

 as if for a breathing spell. Then 

 the solitary crow came skimming 

 down the field again without warn- 

 ing. The flock surrounded him on 



251 



Crow^ays 



