174 
CROW. 
Towards the close of summer, the parent Crows, with their 
new families, forsaking their solitary lodgings, collect together, 
as if by previous agreement, when evening approaches. About 
an hour before sunset, they are first observed, flying somewhat 
in Indian file, in one direction, at a short height above the tops 
of the trees, silent and steady, keeping the general curvature of 
the ground, continuing to pass sometimes till after sunset, so 
that the whole line of march would extend for many miles. 
This circumstance, so familiar and picturesque, has not been 
overlooked by the poets, in their descriptions of a rural even- 
ing. Burns, in a single line, has finely sketched it 
“ The black’ning train of Craws to their repose.” 
The most noted Crow-roost with which I am acquainted is 
near Newcastle, on an island in the Delaware. It is there known 
by the name of the Pea-Patchy and is a low flat alluvial spot, 
of a few acres, elevated but a little above high-water mark, and 
covered with a thick growth of reeds. This appears to be the 
him of his expected regale. I confess that the scene before me was altogether 
novel and surprising. I am but Httle conversant with natui’al liistory; but I 
had always understood, that the depredations of the Owl were confined to the 
smaller birds, and animals of tlie lesser kind; such as mice, young rabbits, &c. 
and that he obtained his prey rattier by fi’aud and stratagem, than by open 
rapacity and violence. I was the more confirmed in tliis belief, from the recol- 
lection of a passage in Macbeth, wliich now forcibly recm-red to my mem- 
ory. The courtiers of King Duncan are recounting to each other the various 
prodigies that preceded liis death, and one of tliem relates to his wondering 
auditors, that 
‘ An Eagle, tow’ring in his pride of place, 
‘ Was, by a mousing Oicl, hawk’d at and kiU’d.’ 
But to resume my relation. That the Owl was the mui’derer of the unfortu- 
nate Crow, there could be no doubt. No other bfrd of prey was in sight; I 
had not fired my gun since I entered the wood; nor heard any one else shoot: 
besides, the unequivocal situation in which I found the parties, would have 
been sufficient before any ‘ twelve good men and true,’ or a jmy of Crows, 
to have convicted him of his guilt. It is proper to add, that I avenged the 
death of the hapless Crow, by a weU-aimed shot at the felonious robber, that 
extended him breathless on tlie ground.” 
