176 
CROW. 
So universal is the hatred to Crows, that few states, either 
here or in Europe, have neglected to offer rewards for their de- 
struction. In the United States they have been repeatedly rank- 
ed in our laws with the wolves, the panthers, foxes and squir- 
rels, and a proportionable premium offered for their heads, to be 
paid by any justice of the peace to whom they are delivered. 
On all these accounts various modes have been invented for cap- 
turing them. They have been taken in clap-nets commonly 
used for taking pigeons; two or three live Crows being pre- 
viously procured as decoys, or as they are called Stool-crows. 
Corn has been steeped in a strong decoction of hellebore, which 
when eaten by them produces giddiness, and finally, it is said, 
death. Pieces of paper, formed into the shape of a hollow cone, 
besmeared within with birdlime, and a grain or two of corn 
dropped on the bottom, have also been adopted. Numbers of 
these being placed on the ground, where corn has been plant- 
ed, the Crows attempting to reach the grains are instantly hood- 
winked, fly directly upwards to a great height; but generally 
descend near the spot whence they rose, and are easily taken. 
The reeds of their roosting places are sometimes set on fire du- 
ring a dark night, and the gunners having previously posted 
themselves around, the Crows rise in great uproar, and amidst 
the general consternation, by the light of the burnings, hundreds 
of them are shot down. 
Crows have been employed to catch Crows, by the following 
the village of St. Georges, in the state of Delaware, on Monday, the 6th inst, 
to receive proposals of John Deputy, on a plan for banishing or destroying the 
Crows. Mr. Deputy’s plan, being heard and considered, was approved, and a 
conunittee appointed to contoct with him, and to procure the necessary funds 
to carry the same into effect. Mi-. Deputy proposes that for five hundi-ed dol- 
lars he will engage to kiU or banish the Crows from their roost on the Pea-Patch, 
and give security to return the money on failure. 
“ The sum of five hundred dollars being tlius required, the committee beg 
leave to address the farmers and others of Newcastle county, and elsewhere, 
on the subject.” 
