86 



CROW. 



screaming at the approach of a stranger; learns to open the door 

 by alighting on the latch ; attends regularly at the stated hours of 

 dinner and breakfast; which he appears punctually to recollect; 

 is extremely noisy and loquacious; imitates the sound of various 

 words, pretty distinctly ; is a great thief and hoarder of curiosities, 

 hiding in holes, corners and crevices every loose article he can 

 carry off, particularly small pieces of metal, corn, bread and food 

 of all kinds ; is fond of the society of his master, and will know 

 him even after a long absence; of which the following is a remark- 

 able instance, and may be relied on as a fact. A very worthy gen- 

 tleman, now living in the Gennesee country, but who, at the time 

 alluded to, resided on the Delaware, a few miles below Easton, had 

 raised a Crow, with whose tricks and society he used frequently to 

 amuse himself. This Crow lived long in the family; but at length 

 disappeared, having, as was then supposed, being shot by some 

 vagrant gunner, or destroyed by accident. About eleven months 

 after this, as the gentleman, one morning, in company with seve- 

 ral others, was standing on the river shore, a number of Crows 

 happening to pass by, one of them left the flock, and flying direct- 

 ly towards the company, alighted on the gentleman^s shoulder, and 

 began to gabble away with great volubility, as one long absent 

 friend naturally enough does on meeting with another. On reco- 

 vering from his surprise the gentleman instantly recognized his old 

 acquaintance ; and endeavoured by several civil but sly manoeuvres 

 to lay hold of him ; but the Crow, not altogether relishing quite so 

 much familiarity, having now had a taste of the sweets of liberty, 

 cautiously eluded all his attempts ; and suddenly glancing his eye 

 on his distant companions, mounted in the air after them, soon 

 overtook and mingled with them, and was never afterward seen 

 to return. 



The habits of the Crow in his native state are so generally 

 known as to require little further illustration. His watchfulness, 

 and jealous sagacity in distinguishing a person with a gun, are no- 



