River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-09-11
CROW CluTChING.
The Novel Way Hoosier Farmers Have OF
framing the Cunning Bird.

The Novel way Hoosier FARMERS nave Oh
Trapping the Cunning Bird.
Indiana farmers in the back districts
have novel and effective way of trap
ping crows. To trap in this way the
trapper must first catch crow alive.
which is generally done by crippling one
with fine shot. The live crow is the
trap. lie is placed on his back in the
field and fastened in that position by
driving forked stick deep in the ground
over each wing, near the body. The
crows feet have free play, and there is
no embargo put on his lungs. Any one
who knows any thing about crows knows
that the moment one is hurt or in trouble
it makes the fact known by loud and Pc
culiar cries There may not have been
another crow seen or heard in the local
ity for hours, but in less than half a
minute after the injured crow gives its
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. The
moment the distressed crow is discov-
cred by the Others they swoop down up
on it.and. unless il is held in duress by
some trap or continuance of the enemy
so it can't be removed, bear it away TO
place OF safety, where it ; nursed back
to soundness and health.
The live crow fastened by his wings
on his back on the ground becomes at
once the only sure and never-faillng
crow trap ever tried. He sends forth
the most distressing of cries, and along
comes flock of yelling crows in re-
Spouse to them. They pounce down
upon the PROSTATE bird to rescue him.
The bound crows claws and legs are
free to play at the birds will In his
desperation he clutches the first crow
that sweeps within his reach. He not
only clutches, but he holds on like
grim death. Some one is always in
hiding near by, and the moment the
decoy crow fastens on and makes 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 field, and he isn't long fastening
| on to victim from among his would-be
| rescuers In ten minutes after the first
crow is set farmer has no difficulty in
| getting half dozen other traps in oper-
/ alton, all doing steady and infallible
| work on their excited and
| philanthropic brethren. The farm
\ err may set as many crows
as he likes, for after getting his first
one the supply will last as long as there
| is free crow in the neigh borhood, but
| half dozen of these yelling and clutch
! ing traps, well set, will depopulate any
/ average crow settlement in the course
! of day or so. Cunning as the crow is.
/ he throws his cunning all to the winds
! at sight of comrade in distress, and
even so far loses his head under suck
circumstances as to fly to the rescue OF
| wing-bound crow in a field after hav-
| ing been made a trap of himself, as q
| crow will sometimes manage to work his
| fastenings loose in the ground by his
struggles and escape.
Some of the Hoosier small boys Of the
rural districts acquire such dexterity as
crow butchers that they are able to
earn big wages in their efforts to make
the big black bird extinct. Their
method is to lie close along the side Of
some old log at the edge of a wood, Gov
ering all but their eyes and one hand
with the leaves. Then by remarka
bly, exact imitation of wounded crow
they soon bring a score or more of the
excited birds swooping about the log
A smart boy can easily clutch hal
dozen or more of the crows before they
discover him, and they are worth tel
cents a piece to Hmm. Y. Sun.