The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1897-03-13
NOW Mr.. jim CROW LIVED.
a Sketch of the Sable Bird, His
Habits and His ~.
Franks.
IELpED HIMSELF ALL HE COULD.
lie Took to Diamond Ring or a
Ring or Yeas Cake With
Equal Relish.
Helped HIMSELF ALL HE COULD.

gan his life as one OF four white eggs IN
g. ragged looking nest at the top Of
pine tree. The parent Crows paid little
attention to outward show in their home,
and it lacked the grace Of the Orioles
and the trimness OF the Robins; bit the
rough sticks that formed the foundation
We're covered with various softer Innings,
and Jim's home was satisfactory to him.
Sscarcely had Jim broken out Of his
shell when he began to suffer from the
ills Of bad reputation, in this case not
his own. The Crows, though industri-
GUS and working hard to free the bush
es and ground from caterpilIars, grubs
and other insects, had helped themselves
vowed vengeance upon them; and this
VOW being fulfilled left Jim and the
other little Crows orphans very early in
life The others succumbed to starva-
tior. Jim evidently had more strength,
for ne;~was found alive in the nest.
When Jim left the parental abode for
another he was but half hedged, and very
ignorant. His only idea in life was to
get enough to eat, and his method Of do
ing this was to open a large bill and
Cav, cav in a hungry tone. His ap-
petite was remarkable He never re-
fused anything offered to him. and this
diet included everything from angle
worms TO Strawberries Corn was cooked
for him, as he did not apepar to like it
raw. At this stage OF his development
he had no thought of beauty, and paid
little attention to his plumage. Later he
became quite & dandy, and every feather
was arranged with the greatest nicely.
jim Crow became a missionary for his
race among his captors, whom, by the
way, he regarded with mos friendly
feelings. His mistress was specially dear
to him; ard when he found delicate
fat bug he would sometimes bring it to
share with her, and he expected her to
be equally generous with such dainties
as she had. He would stand on her chair
while she ate, and if ignored would touch
her now and then with his beak to re-
mind her that share alike was fair.
All crows are capable Of learning
much. Perhaps Jim's education was ex-
tended beyond the general limit because
his mistress had much time, a curiosity
to know what he could learn, coupled
with patience and Jim's fondness for her.
She worked systematically at his les
sous and never undertook to teach him
with anyone or anything near them to
distract his attention. Jim was eager to
know all that was going on.
Crows can be taught to talk. Some
times their tongues are split to make
them easier; but it is needless as to
split g parrots. Constant repetition of
a phrase will make a young crow re-
member it, and one phrase understood,
it does not take long to add another to
the Vocabulary. Jim learned to say
"Hullo" to his mistress and to various
members of the family. He could say
his A B G and a. few single words
which he seemed to know how to apply.
jim was very, very curious, and al
ways wanted to see everything new. A
flock of chickens with their mother
aroused his interest, and in his zeal to
know more of them. he walked close to
the hen, which fell Jpn him with all the
force CT beak, claws and wings. Jim lay
fat upon his back, and, with legs way
ing to and fro in fright cried: Help!
Help"
Jim was allowed to go about the house
as he. chose, for he had been taught to
he neat. Any bird may be SO trained by
sprinkling 1t with water from tooth
brush. This freedom left play for his
natural propensities. Jim was q. thief,
and Of his evi! trait nothing would cure
him He would carry Off any bright
thing lying about, whether t were a dia-
mond ring or an yeast cake, and hide
{ them. He was like his cousins, the Mag
pies IL that. He hid yerything near Or
/ iii the house, So TWAS not difficult to.
n f1iiind his treas.lrs He would hide his
alins r azi,e places time after
PC ~ \! y h
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