The sun., 1907-04-14
WRITE HOUSE CROW
Has Been FOretelllng the weather Since
Gen. Grant was President.

-N~-N-~~~'
Many folks in this city, as well as else
where, have been talking about the old
crow which is known to have established
his headquarters long ago in the White
House grounds, says the Washington Post,
and whose skill as an augur has been ad-
vanced recently by a warning he gave
that Easter Sunday would certainly be
moist and unpleasant day.
To the east OF the mansion on the north
front, In little grove OF elms, the old bird
has his habitation. Generally ne occupies
a tree very near to the north portico. There
is a large hollow in the trunk OF this tree,
and in the topmost branches his sable
plumage IL nearly always to be seen. Some
Of the policemen on duty about the grounds
keen an eve on the old fellow at times, but
the majority Of them ignore him, Il have
as much as can do, said one OF the blue
coats when the subject OF the crows meth
ods was mentioned TO him, 'tO keep my
att ention riveted upon the crowds OF
people that swarm here every day, without
giving any thought to the crow.
But there are others about the White
House who have paid considerable atten-
ton TO him. One old retainer, who went
into service when Gen. Grant became Presi-
dent, says this same crow was stationed
near the house when he first took up a
humble position there. And we all know
said this old fellow, that a. weather
DrODneL ne can R1Vb CbIIb dAlu bkhNCn W SlAO
bureau officers and beat them"
The man who could probably give more
information, II he would, about the White
House crow is that old veteran OF the clerical
force, Col Crook. who has been stationed
in one capacity or another about the Elk
ecutive quarters ever since the days OF
President Lincoln. He has observed the
birds flights and heard his warning croaks
for many years, and can testify to his
presence in the grounds adjacent 20 the
house for all this time. There Is no one
Of the officials, high or low. who will vent
ure conjecture concerning this crows
age. Their guesses range every where from
twenty seven years TO time when the mem
ory Of man runneth not to the contrary,
but there is a consensus that no matter
how old he Is he Is a wise bird
That he possesses some influence Is evi-
dent from the fact that his forecast Of the
weather for Easter did prevent the ladies
of some Of the members OF the minor OH
cials about the White House from ventur-
ing out and risking a detriment to their
beautiful spring fnery. How long this
old fellow will remain with US no one can
tell, said one OF the clerks. He knows
he has q good place where no hunter can
take a pot shot at him and no wanton little
boy can hurl a rock at him, 80 he Is wise
enough to stand pat.
A we'll informed gentleman who lives in
a fine farming region in West virginia,
but who Is temporarily sOiournin& in Wash
inRton, talking about, the White House
crow, said: Asa weather predtcter the
crow il in good rank. We country folks
notice It and often take advantage Of the
warning. Then the crow is apt TO give
notice z there II gale brewing. BY Tying
pretty close 10 the ground. II the sky
b clear and hkely 20 conflnne - he win
eoar as high as he can and croak HE de-
light st living hy lively ceyA