112 Ways of Wood Folk. 



As I watched him curiously he launched himself 

 into the air and came speeding down the center of 

 the field, making for the pines at the opposite end. 

 Instantly every crow was on the wing ; they shot out 

 from both sides, many that I had not seen before, 

 all cawing like mad. They rushed upon the old 

 fellow from the hickory, and for a few moments it 

 was impossible to make out anything except a whirl- 

 ing, diving rush of black wings. The din meanwhile 

 was deafening. 



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, 

 tlashino; tliino; in his beak. 



There was a long wait this time, as if for a breath- 

 ing spell. Then the solitary crow came skimming 

 down the field a^ain without warning. The flock 

 surroundeid him on the moment, with the evident 

 intention of hindering his flight as much as possible. 

 They flapped their wings in his face ; they zig-zagged 

 in front of him ; they attempted to light on his back. 

 In vain he twisted and dodged and dropped like 



