The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1916-11-17

black and gray crows (the real Rus
sian crow, come flying around to picl
up what wheat they can, and In som,
parts the ground is just a patch O.
black and looks most strange. Ever
storks put in a dignifled appearance
just to see what Is going on, and great
eagles and hawks hover above waitinf
to feast on the mice.
The only Russian crow l have seer
In captivity was miserable specimen
in Dresden. They are much more sin
lister looking than their British broth
ers, and even their "caw" is different
Their behavior in the wheatfield is ex
tremely entertaining. The old birds
hop about uttering weird little noises
and gingerly picking up grains OF
wheat with which they feed their prac.
tically full-grown offspring. II the
young bird has had enough it drops the
grain in front Of another crow, which
generally snaps at 1t promptly.
The peasants receive pay according
to the proprietor's wealth or generos-
ity-sometimes so kopeks day
(25 cents), at other times one rouble
go cents); but this varies greatly, as
some estates are so much richer than
others. In all and every case, how
ever, the peasants receive collectively
one-tenth of the wheat of every field
they cut, and sometimes this adds up
very considerably. In fact, what they
earn in harvest time practically keeps
them for the rest Of the year.
Won't Work on Feast Days.
Sundays and feast days land there
are over hundred Of the latter) they
will not work, but lie about In the
fields and drink tea, etc. But they love
music, and to the tune Of the balalaika
Ia kind of mandolin) and the con-
certina they will sing and dance at any
moment of the day. Many of the peas
antsSare much richer than they look.
and they still put their money In their
stockings and bury it as of old.
But to return to the harvest. To
wards sunset, when work is at its high
est pitch in the vicinity of the thresh.
ing machine (Which, by the way, the
peasants greatly reverence, as it means
food to them in the coming year,, life
is indeed worth living. The throbbing
of the engines the buzz Of many voices,
the lowing of the cattle, the glorious
sunset, and, above all, that lovely gold
en- haze Caused by the dust of the
chaff) which rises ever so lightly, and
which seems to put veil over every.
thing, just makes you long for your
brush and palette.
But, the wheat cut, threshed and
housed, the machine must be put away
till next year. This is quite q cere-
mony and always takes place In the
moonlight. First 1t is thoroughly over.
hauled and cleaned, then decorated
with flowers, small sheaves and
branches of trees. Between twelve
and twenty pairs of oxen draw the
machine, moving as slowly as possible.
All those who have taken part In the
harvest work walk beside and behind
it-generally between one hundred and
two hundred. Behind these come the
villagers, everyone dressed in his best,
and the girls with garlands of flowers
on their heads, singing folk songs. This
huge cavalcade moves at foot pace I'M
til it arrives at its destination, when
the squire and all his family and
guests come out to see the ceremonial
housing. The peasants then receive
extra" and return to their
houses, generally having a rollicking
time, playing and dancing far into the
night.