Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-01-11
Where the Crows Roost.

The first of these two rookeries is
situated about two miles east OF Syra
cuse, \ Y, in woods known as
''Tamaraek swamp" and lying be-
tween the Central and West Shore
| tracks. The second Is situated I'm
Arlington cemetery, at Washington.
Both rookeries are nearly equal in
size, the one at Syracuse covering
about fifteen acres and that at Airing
ton from ten TO twelve.
A visit TO these roosts in the day
! time is sinteresting in the extreme, wEile
another paid at dusk when the birds
are coming in is even more so. Shortly
after daybreak the vast throng of
| black bestirs itself; first a loud clamor
betokens that the birds are awake,
| then with a shake or two they launch
forth in quest of the mornings break
fast. Leaving singly, in pairs. by
! dozens and in flocks OF hundreds,
each group wings its way to where
! the previous days meals were secured
or starts in search OF new feeding
grounds. After they are gone the
roost is sight indeed. On every
hand the trees and ground beneath
are literally covered with the excreta
OF the birds, having much the appear
ance of having been plentifully be-
spatted with whitewash. The air is
foul with the odor mingled with that
of the putrefying bodies Of the dead
ones that here and there dot the snow
while among the branches "a well as
on the ground are numbers OF individ-
uals too weak, emaciated or other
wise disabled To participate In the
daily flight These are readily ap-
preached, and are often 10 be caught
in the hands.
\ drive through the surrounding
country will now give glimpse OF
their daily life during winter. Any
where and everywhere they may be-
seen, each in search Of that which
alone will sustain life, but with the
usual frozen condition Of the ground
this, as IA rule, is difficult To obtain.
Up TO about 3 o'clock the birds are
busy feeding, and the average person
would hardly believe that within al
hour or even less these same birds
will be miles away and In company
with tens OF thousands OF the same
species. Having traced them through
their daily wanderings, IL ~ In order
10 visit the roost again at nightfall
and watch them come In. At the
hour above mentioned they begin To
arrive either singly or In ilocks, tarry-
ing at times at some near at hand
feeding grounds. but soon seeking
the vicinity of the roost. Strangely
enough instead Of repairing at once
TO their nights resting place, they
gather in immense multitudes on the
surrounding hills; coming as they do
from all quarters OF the country, the
numbers increase until the fields, the
trees and the fences are covered with
them. Long after the sun has set
they continue TO arrive. The noise
is deafening. and when at times they
rise and circle about In the air II
seems as II the heavens themselves
were about 10 fall. As darkness be-
gins to settle, first n few Of the bolder
ones enter the roost These are fol-
lowed by small bunches Of fifty or "a.
and these In turn by other companies
interspersed with stragglers. Suddenly,
with noise a. OF hurricane, n vast
host arises and makes dive for the
roost. These are closely by another,
and still another, until finally the
numbers on the hill sides begin to
show some signs Of thinning out.
As the darkness deepens, they come
in any way, down they come pell
nell, brushing past the face, almost
flying against one, alIghting on the
first branch they strike against (for
they are now almost unable 10 see.
and Il IL amusing To see hundreds
Topping about waiting for luck to
throw branch In their way, often
within arms reach. Every tree and
branch seems packed with them, and
still they continue TO pour down
finding n roosting place somewhere
and adding clsmor TO the deafening
babel already existing. Finally all
appear 10 have arrived, and are busy
settling themselves for the night.
Utter now but so much IA syllable,
and the entire army with renewed
cries, and Ia the dircst confusion,
takes wing and seeks another part Of
the woods, only to- renew the per
formaDces should the operation be
repeated. have never a. yet re.
manned in roost long enough 10 ascer-
tain whether or not the birds became
absolutely quiet