Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-08-04
ANECDOTES OF A CROW.


He had great talents, and a strong pro
pensity TO mltatiou. When ] was enga
ged IN wedding in the garden. he would
often fly TO me, aud, after very auenhvely
observing me 10 pulling up the small
weeds and grass, nc would fall to work
aal with hts strong beak. pluck ~ the
grass; and the more so, when | compli.
menled him with encouraging expressions.
lie enjoyed great leasurc and amuse-
meut in seeing me Mite, aud would at
tempt to take the pen dIt Of my hand, and
my spectacles from mynose. The latter
article he was so well LEASED with, that l
found it necessary to PIT them out of his
reach, when ! had done lsing them. But,
one time, in particular, having left them a
moment, the crow beng then out OF my
sight recollecung the BIRDS mischevous
tricks, | returned quickly, and found him
on the table, rAng m, iukstand, books.
and paper. When he Jaw me coming, he
took up my spectacesand Aew of with
them. found It vain 10 pretend 10 over
take him; but standingto observe hls or
eratons with my spGtacles, | saw hun
settle down at the rot Of an apPletree,
where, after amuslnghImself, for a while,
| observed, that he WIS hiding them in the
grass, and croyeuugthem with chips and
sticks, often looking round about, TO sec
whether / was watching h,m. When he
thought he had sufficiently secre,ed them,
no turned about, advancing towards NE,
al my call When le had come near me,
Iran towards towordsihc tree to regain nay
property. But he, Judging of my inteu-
teutIons, by my actions, flew, and arriving
there before me- picked them up again, &
flew of with them, into another appletrce.
/ now almost dcsFarcd of ever getting
them again. However, returned back 10
a house, little distance Of, aud there Sc
cretIng myself, | bad foil view of HIN,
and waited to see The event. After some
time had elapsed, duung which / heard a
great noise and talk from han, Of which /
understood not word, he left the tree,
with my specaclcs dangling in his mouth
and lac upon the ground. After some time
and a great deal of caution and contrl-
vance M choosing and rejecting different
places, he hid them again, as he thought
very cliectually, in the grass, carry ing and
placing over them chips, dry leaves, &c
and often pushing them down with his
ohl. After he had finished his work, he
flew ofup into a tree, hard by, and there
continued a long time, talking to himself,
and making much noise; braggng, as
supposed, OF his achievements. At last,
he returned TO the house, where not find
ing me, he hetOok himself TO other amuse-
meuts. Having noted the place, where he
had hid my spectacles, i FASTENED thliher,
and after some tine recovered them.
He was the most troublesome s. teazlug
10 a large dog whom he could never con-
qucr This old dog, from natural fidelity,
and a particular attachment, commonly
lay down by me, when was at rest. read
ing or writing unde. the shade Of d pear
tree, IN the garden near the house. Ton
4 believe from a passion Of Jealousy,
would approach me, with his usual carcss
es aud fattory, and after securing ny no
tee and regard, he would address the do
10 some degree ofcomplaisance, b. word
aud actions; and, # ne could, obtain &C
cess TO him, and compose himself, Tor d
hule while. Il was evident, however
that this seeming sDcIabihty was mer,
artifce to gain an opportunity 10 pracucl
some mischlevous tnck, for no sooner do
he observe the old dog doing, Than b.
would be ure to pinch his lips, and plucI
his beard. Atlenglh, however, these boz
aad hazardous achievements bad nearl
cos: him his life; for, one time, the do
beng highly provoked, made 50 sudde
and fierce a snap, that the crow narrowl
escaped with his head. After this, Tor
was wary, and used every caution and dc
liberation 10 his approaches, examInln
the dogs eyes and movements, 20 be sur
that he was really asleep, aud at last woul
not venture nearer than his all, and the
by slow, silent and wary steps, ia "a side
ways or oblque manuer, spreading hi
legs and reaching forward. In this pos
ton he would pluck the long hairs Of III
dogs tail. But he would always TAX
care to place his feet in such manner a.
to be ready TO start of when the dog va.
reused and snapped at HIM.
~ Y Medical Ea9ur.