The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1892-02-23

te-dsy of meeting gentleman who
was member of the American lega-
lation detached to Japan in 1871 to
aid the natives in developing the
resources of the island of Gesso and
t. explore the ichikori river.
In course Of the conversation which
embraced every conceivable subject,
the gentleman said "Well sir, the
most interesting thing saw while
traver,ing occ dental land was Jap.
anese raven. Here is bird that can
reiute the logic of all the psychologists
eXiant. 1hi. bird reasons and Ia k.
just so surely as DOES human being.
lis inslicts are keener than superior
intelligence to be sure but there is no
foundation for the statement that this
bird is controlled by instict absolutely.
| have sat beside the beach when
the pillows washed ashore the
silent clam and seen these birds
perform ieats that could only have
been accomplished by rational ami
maj.
As is well known these large Cams
are very difficult to open, so much So
indeed that the valves cannot be
parted save by the employment OF
some strong instrument.
Nov | have seen these rayers
clutch a can, soar high in the air
ab1ve the rocks b low drop their
victim then descend aud m Ike exami-
nation 10 see whether the conchiferons
mollnsk had opened. Rarely will the
fret drop produce the desired effect,
so Mr.. Raven picks him up again and
away up in the c-rulean depths he
goes like an arrow al d after reaching
a certain height, hurls his victim to
the rocks once more. This perform
ance l have seen this bird repeat "a
many as ten consecutive times. And
when at last Mr. Clam gives up the
ghost, the joy manifested by the bl.ck
winged conquerer is ridiculous enough
to make even those laugh whom
Shakespeare taunts as being of such
vinegar aspect that they would not
show their teeth by way of smile
thgugh Neptune swear the Jest be
laughable.' The raven will chatter
and toss the broken shell about in
high glee, then eat his meal and de-
part.
Another manifestation of Intelli-
gence possessed by these birds is the
manner in which they get their fish
supply. There is an eagle peculiar
to this cline called wash by the
natives, that lives chiefly on fish
Being to certain extent aquatic, the
washf hovers over the sea and so soon
as member of the piscatorial tribe
appears he swoops down upon it and
carries the fish ashore. Then il is
these ubiquitous ravens fly forth
from their hiding places hard by
and pOunce upon the eagle
putting him to flight and devouring
the fish themselves.
The most remarkable exhibition of
intelligence l witnessed ir these birds |
was on the occasion of
a survey l was mskirg along the |
Ichikari river. When set out on
the journey l was followed by
about ten of them. They accompa-
MED US to get the refuse food cast
away from our camp.
One day hung quarter of veni.
son in a neighboring tree and the
pesky rascals despoiled it. ] got mad
and decided to wreak revenge. l
procured a half dozen fish hooks, bait
ed them and extended an invitation
to my winged guests to dine. Pres.
emily here they come. They
made examinations. Imagine my
surprise to see the birds retreat and i
enter into council. With the Others
stationed at respectful distance one
If the birds made speech-no doubt
about it, he addressed the meeting. |,
He gesticulsted and croaked just like .
hey do at Washington. At intervals
he auditors would set up a cry, evi.
lently applauding. The spoks sman .
It last submitted the floor to another =,
md half dozen speeches were made. /,
When the last harangue was de- 8
ivered the birds talked among them.
elves a few minutes, then silently 4
nd unceremonioualy departed width. |
+ know not where. / never saw I
hem again. They had followed me /
hree weeks. g
1 am satisfied my trick offended 2
hem and ca1sed them to leave. II