The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-12

GROW CLUTCHlNG.
Tho Novel Why IIoosier Farmers Have of
Trapping tho Cunning BIRD.

Tho Novel Why IIoosier Farmers Have of
Trapping tho Cunning BIRD.
Indiana farmers in tho back districts
have novel and effective way of trap
ping crows. 10 trap in this way tho
trappcr must first catch crow alive,
which is generally done by crippling ono
with fine shot. The live crow is tho
trap. lie is placed on his back i'll tho
field and fastened in that position by
driving forlled tick deep in tho ground
over each wing, near the body. Tho
crows feet have free play, and there is
no embargo put on his lungs. Any ono
who knows any thing about crows knows
that tho moment one is hurt or III trouble
it makes tho fact known by loud and pc
culiar cries. There may not have been
another crow seen or heard in tho local
ity for hours, but in less tl.an half IL
minute after the injured crow gives it's
cry OF distress crows will come scurry-
ing in from all points of the compass.
answering the signals OF distress with
emphatic and assuring caws. Tho
moment tho distressed crow is discov-
cred by the others they swoop down up
on it and, unless it is held in duress by
some trap or continuance of the enemy
so it can't be removed, bear it away to n
place OF safety, whore it is nursed back
to soundness and health.
The live crow fastened by his wings
on his back on tho ground becomes at
once the only sure and novcr-failing
crow trap over tried. IIo sends forth
the most distressing of cries, and along
comes flock of yelling crows in re-
Spouse to them. They pounce down
upon tho PROSTATE bird TO rescue him.
Tho bound crows claws and legs are
free to play at tho birds will. In his
desperation he clutches tho first crow
that sweeps within his reach lie not
only clutches, but he holds on like
grim death Some ono is always in
| hiding near by, and the moment tho
decoy crow fastens on and makes a vic
tim of the crow that would befriend him.
the watcher hurries to the scene and
| captures the captive's captive. This crow
is in turn made decoy in another part
of the acld, and he isn't long fastening
on TO victim from among his would be
rcscucrs. In ton minutes after the first
crow is set n farmer has no difficulty in
getting half doscT other traps in opcr-
alton, all doing steady and infallible
work on their excited and
/ philanthropic brethren. The farm
or may set IA many crows
as he likes, for after getting his first
one the supply will last as long us there
is free crow in the ncighborhood. but
half 4 dozen of these yelling and clutch
ing traps, well SCI, will dcpopulato any
average crow settlement in the course
of day or so. Cunning as the crow is,
lac throws his cunning all to the winds
at sight OF a cOmrado in distress, and
even so far loses his head under such
circumstances as s0 fly to the rescue of
a wing-bound crow in a field after hay
ing been made Il trap of himself, as n
crow will some times manage to work his
fastenings loose IN tho ground by his
struggles and escape.
Some Of the lioosier small boys of tho
rural districts acquire such dexterity as
crow butchers that they are able GO
earn big wages iso their efforts TO make
the big black bird extinct. Their
method is to lie chose along the side OF
somc old log at tho edge of wood, COW
cring all but thelr eyes and one hand
with tho leaves. Then by rcmarke-
bly, exact imitation, of q wounded crow,
theg' soon bring q score or more of tho
excited birds swanping about TIE log
a smart boy can easily clutch Il half
dozen or more Of zlle crows before they
discover him, and they are worth ten
cents "A piece TO hicM.-N. " Sun.