98 



THE CROW. 



quickly spying it out, they stoop around it, only 

 delaying tlieir attacks until the evidence of all 

 active life is gone. 



And so they seem unsuited for the bright sum- 

 mer, when all nature is smiling in her cheerful 

 dress, bringing their black robes amidst the gay 

 flowers, but more in consonance with bleak De- 

 cember. 



Night is drawing slowly on, the sun is setting 

 in clouds and thick mist, and the wind moans 

 sadly over the cheerless landscape. The trees, 

 holding their uncovered arms toward the wintery 

 sky, are rocking in the blast, earth is clad in a 

 winding-sheet of white, and all nature lies lifeless 

 beneath the tread of the storm-king who holds in 

 his hands the ice treasures of the north. 



Swiftly, as though hurrying to some trysting- 

 place, the clouds fly across the heavens, jostling 

 each other in their rapid course as if anxious to 

 reach their goal ; the bushes bend beneatli their 

 snowy load, while from numberless swaying twigs 

 the transparent icicles hang in long glittering- 

 lances. 



At such a time one would suppose every ani- 

 mal would keep under shelter, and that nothing 

 but thfe pangs of hunger could induce any of the 

 wild dwellers of the woods to brave the chill blast 

 that is sweeping over the face of the land. But 

 yonder, moving slowly, evidently in pain, one 

 small limb hanging useless, struck perhaps by the 

 pellets from some sportraan's gun, a wounded 

 Hare is seeking some friendly shelter to liide 

 herself from the cutting wind and her no less re- 

 lentless pursuer. 



How she must long for the warm form from 

 which she was so suddenly startled but a short 

 time since by the Dog which had discovered her 

 retreat, and where she had sat thinking, perhaps, 



of the moonlight night in the pleasant summer- 

 time when she had played upon the soft green- 

 sward — and then, as the snow went whirling by, 

 nestled all the closer in her warm nest. 



But the spot she is accustomed to regard as 

 home (for even the lower animals have such to 

 which they constantly resort) is far away now, 

 and weary with her efforts to escape, and faint 

 from the deadly wound, she struggles on, if only 

 perchance she may reach a place of safety. And 

 now she can go no farther, and by the side of a 

 blender stalk, tliat of itself can give no protec- 

 tion, she has drawn lierself up, and, with her 

 long ears laid upon her back, remains exposed to 

 all the severity of the approaching winter's 

 niglit. Alas ! poor Hare, not even there can 

 you be left at peace ; for the scavengers of tlie 

 air have already found you out, and with wonder- 

 ful instinct have discovered your failing strength, 

 and come swiftly, with many a boding croak, to 

 sweep over your crouching form. Well they 

 know that soon your bright eye will grow dim, 

 and undeterred by even any semblance of life, 

 they may feast upon that which was only lately 

 so replete with vigor and graceful activity. 



Crows are considered wise birds; but, while 

 understanding how to take care of themselves, 

 they are not celebrated for their affectionate dis- 

 position. Still a Crow may become fond of its 

 owner. 



A gentleman had reared one from the nest, 

 and it had long dwelt with him, coming at his call, 

 and feeding from his hand. At length it disap- 

 peared, and he supposed it had been killed. 

 About a year afterwards, as he was out walking 

 one day, lie observed several Crows flying over- 

 head ; when, what was his surprise to see one of 

 them leave the .flock, fly towards him, and perch 



