The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-06-21

A Description OF the Crows Military Drill
Preparatory To Migration.


Night after night watched the
crows. until nj last IL became certain
that the old crow. with the stentorian
lungs. was In absolute command and
had his forces well under control.
After about week more of training.
they began TO show undoubted signs of
excellent discipline. At the command
OF the leader. flock Of dozen
or more took wing and described a
much larger circle than ever before.
Until they were about two hundred
feet from the rest comparative silence
reigned among the remaining host;
but then suddenly. came several loud.
sharp tones from the leader and about
ms many more left the trees. This time
the new division separated into two
equal bodies, and flew of ut right
angles for "A short distance. Then, in
response to another cav, they turned
In the same direction As the advance
guard, who were now some distance
away. After few moments had
elapsed. the word of command was
again given, and all the crows arose in
a body and followed the lead OF the adj
yance-guard the old chieftain being
we'll 10 the front; but noticed that he
did not fly rs fast as the main body,
and they gradually passed him. Now.
/ thought, The may be the crow with
the most acute brain. but he certainly
lacks the strength of wing 10 keep 10
the front, for by this time he was
among the stragglers bringing up the
rear. But before long the air again
resounded with the hoarse ''Cawl
Cawm and Immediately the apparently
abandoned trees sent forth very
crcditable rear guard. These last
crows rose and scattered themselves
into open skirmishing order.
Then the General ut once proved to
me had been very foolish in drawing
hasty conclusions concerning his wing
power. for he at once forged ahead
blowing his way rapidly. until he
reached the main body and took
leading position. BY this time the adj
vance-guard had completed their cir
| cles preparatory 20 alighting upon
their old perches; but the Vigilant eye
of their leader detected this attempt
and cav of command sent them forth
! 10 duty again. The old fellow was
perfect old martinez, SO far rs drill
was concerned. Up to this time he
had taken things somewhat easily. as
| IL had been only company drill; but
now il was the all-important battalion
drill. and therefore there was no shirk-
| ing allowed.
The word to halt was soon given.
however, and each detachment. perched
upon its camping trees. awaited or
dcrs. AS il was perfectly understood
that after drill they were TO 'roost ut
ease, terrible cawing commenced.
! Ii seemed that each crow meant to let
them all understand that he was the
best-drilled bird ia the brigade.
The following evening. when the
rement received the order 10 march.
there was no sign of their hating in
their flight. but. after scurrying around
the circle once or twice. ut a sign from
| the leader some OF them left the main
body and flew ahead till they reached
the advance-guard aud the right and
! left wings OF scouts took their places.
The birds then on duty slackened their
flight and gradually rcjoined the main
body. The same thing was repeated
| by the rear-guard. IL became evident
that the General not only intended to
guard his army. but also had arranged
i ~ ItlltNt NnONt WIN Ntih SUN VhA
on this special duty In fact no hui
man general could have thought out
all probable contingencies and pre-
pared for them better than did this
.old black crow"
Next morning. after waiting for
some time, the voice OF the General
sounded forth the order to march. The
adyancc-guard at once arose with their
usual "Caw!n and then in silence
started due south, dying on "A hori-
i zontal plane only few feet higher
than the trees they had left. At the
word. the other guards flew ont as
right and left wings. but maintaining
the same height in the air rs the pion
ecrs;-in fact. all appeared rs ii NOV
ing along an invisible railroad track.
AS soon rs the advance parties had
taken their posts, the General gave the
signal starting the main army in mo-
ton.
Before long they became gray
cloud in the distance, aud then melted
out Of sight in the glowing southern
sky.--AgBeS Frazer Sandman. IA 50.
i AichOldS