L. F. Slockwell—Concerning Crows



29



depth, and leave no grub living within their reach. They are excellent

“ watch dogs ”, giving their peculiar screech when any stronger or

danger approaches.


P. J. Stallard.



CONCERNING CROWS


By L. F. Stockwell


The Crow is the first bird acquaintance we make on landing in

India. He haunts the docks, the streets, and the verandas. Perhaps

the very first time we lie down for a siesta, we see him, or his mate,

sidle into the room, and snatch up a morsel of cake or biscuit left on

a plate.


Nothing escapes a Crow’s eye and, as he likes bright and shining

objects, he often carries off a ring or coin, leaving some native servant

to bear the blame.


An amusing case was reported in the papers. A soldier, who had

lost his false teeth, was accused of selling Government property. His

story, that a Crow had snatched them from his hand while cleaning them,

was not believed till search was made in some Crows’ nests in the

compound, and there the dental plate was found.


But Crows are sometimes taken in for all their cleverness. A Crow,

seeing some tennis balls put to dry in the sun thought they were eggs.

So he rolled one down an incline, then went back to fetch another.

But the elasticity of the balls annoyed him, for the harder he pecked,

the faster they rolled. His anger grew every moment as he chased them

with outspread wings. Then his mate flew down to help, and together

they at last collected all the balls in a hollow of the earth. But, when they

tried to pick them up, they found the balls too big and unyielding

for their beaks ; so, after many fruitless attempts, the birds had to

give up their booty.


The Crow that haunt houses are of two species ; the Grey-necked,

and the Black Crow or Indian Corby, and although the latter is some¬

times found living in the jungle he prefers the neighbourhood of human

beings, where it is easier to pick up a living.


In spite of their thievish ways Crows do a certain amount of useful



