328 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Official photograph U. S. Biological Survey 



ROOSTING CROWS (SEE PAGE 325) 



Few sights in the bird world equal in impressiveness the assem- 

 blage of a large crow roost. This photograph was taken after sun- 

 down, with an exposure of several minutes, at the Woodridge roost, 

 near Washington, D. C. The air was filled with flying birds, but 

 only those that remained stationary for the greater part of the ex- 

 posure made a conspicuous photographic impression. 



fought centuries before, that black specter 

 ceases to be a mere bird. It becomes the 

 embodiment of a courageous spirit, living 

 true to a cherished tradition. It is then 

 that I admire the bird. 



THE PERSONALITY O? THE CROW 



The old adage, that familarity breeds 

 contempt, has no place in a consideration 

 of the relation between the crow and 

 man. Undue familiarity with crops, wild 

 birds, and poultry on the part of the 



crow has resulted in 

 opinions regarding it 

 that are far from com- 

 plimentary ; but I have 

 never heard any one, 

 even a confirmed ene- 

 my of the bird, refer 

 to it in words of utter 

 contempt. More inti- 

 mate acquaintance 

 may increase antago- 

 nism, but with it 

 grows apace a greater 

 appreciation of the 

 crow's resourceful- 

 ness. 



Notwithstanding 

 that in the wild state 

 it constantly avoids 

 close association with 

 man, the crow, when 

 captured as a nestling, 

 readily lends itself to 

 domestication and, as 

 a pet, reveals many 

 fascinating traits. 



I know of no bird 

 that will furnish such 

 an endless variety of 

 entertainment, and, I 

 may add, as much 

 trouble, as a pet crow. 

 They may be taught 

 to utter a few words 

 of articulate speech, 

 but this is frequently 

 interspersed with a 

 choice assortment of 

 ordinary corvine jar- 

 gon that at times bor- 

 ders on the ridiculous. 

 To perfect a crow in 

 this respect, continu- 

 ous association with 

 the bird and infinite patience are neces- 

 sary. The splitting of the tongue, so 

 frequently recommended, adds nothing to 

 the crow's ability as a linguist. 



The intensity of corvine curiosity is 

 almost feminine, and, if given a few 

 trinkets, a pet crow will find no end of 

 amusement. 



Above all, crows are notorious thieves 

 and hoarders, and if permitted the free- 

 dom of the dooryard will establish numer- 

 ous caches of treasure. 



