THE CROW 



A BIRD WITH FEW FRIENDS 



{Fig. 19) 



Y his enemies the Crow's character 

 is painted as black as his plumage, 

 but before we condemn him I 

 should like to hear the verdict of a 

 jury of Crows. We, for example, 

 would not like to have the buf- 

 falo or Wild Pigeon or Carolina Paroquet, or any 

 other animal that man has exterminated, paint our 

 character. Even the house fly and mosquito could 

 prove that we were heartless murderers ! 



So we see that Crows must be judged by the stand- 

 ards of Crows, just as men are measured by the 

 standards of men. 



From this point of view I find much to admire 

 in the Crow. It is true that he takes our corn and 

 robs birds' nests of their eggs and young. But if a 

 wild Crow should show as much confidence in me 

 as Chickadee does, I should welcome his friendship 



and consider myself honored among my kind. 



97 



