The Omaha morning bee., 1923-11-10

What have you seen? Are you
ever attracted by the voice OF the
world of nature which surrounds
youe The Omaha Bee welcomes
letters from readers on obserVa-
tions of nature.
"OI.D JIM CROW"
Tennyson, in "Locksley Hail.
writes of
the many wintered crew that leads
the changing rookery home,
testifying to the longevity of the bird.
Others have paid similar tribute, and
every farmer boy will tell you of his
wariness and wisdom. One recent
writer has suggested that the crows
are migrating TO the west. moving
their habitat from the east TO the
more open spaces. Whether this be
true or not. Nebraska farmers have
complained greatly of the fiocks that
have created some havoc with growing
things of late years, and are accused
Of driving out many birds who are
more useful or at least less harmful.
On a recent journey across the west
to the Pacific coast ! observed many
fiocks Of crows in regions where ]
never had noticed SO many before.
This may bear out the statement that
the crow is going west.
Most of the case against the crow
on account Of his capacity for de-
struction must rest on his Unsuitable
curiosity He Is an inveterate seeker
after knowledge, and will do anything
once, just to find out the effect. He
is wary, watchful. difficult 10 approach
and hard to catch. The boy who
actually has trapped a crow has
achieved something 10 be proud Of.
Inva riably, when a flock of crows Is
feeding, a sentinel will be stationed.
Stop your car and get out and no at
tention will be paid TO you: Lift any
thing out Of the ear, a stick, a gun,
or any similar article. and the sentinel
Immediately sounds his warning, and
long before you can get within range
every crow has winged his way TO
safety.
This brings me 10 what I wanted to
boast about. When a small lad, a
good many years ago. | became some
what expert with the bow and arrow.
or a I least so fancied myself. On one ex-
pedition ! shot a crow. wounding
him In one Of his wings. After some
thing Of a chase and a considerable
battle, | succeeded In tying up his beak
and claws and carried him home IN
triumph.
The minute | put him down on
the floor and loosened his bonds. he
became one OF the family. not offer
ing to escape. Ny father fixed his
wounded wing so that he recovered
its use. but never did he try TO fly
away although he often visited the
high tree tops around the house. he
always returned. jim for that natur.
ally was his name. could not or would
not make friends with either the dog
or the cat. and they soon learned to
let him alone. for he could put up n
very pretty fight In his own behalf.
He WAS very friendly with all mem
bers Of the family and learned a
number of simple little tricks. which
he delighted 70 show
His most marked trait. though. was
his mischief. Especially was he at
tracted by bright things. and scissors.
spoons and the Ike were his weak
ness. His hiding place was Up in the
garret, where he was at home and
where he deposited his plunder. II
was one Of my regular duties to climb
ladder into the garret and search
under the caves for the missing things.
jim frequently pulled to pieces arti-
cles that he could. apparently for no
other reason than 10 see what they
contained or were made II He did
not attain the many winters Of Tenny-
sons veteran. hut he was the source
Of much amusement to the family
and the neiehbors for many years.
finally coming out second best in a
midnight battle with a big toncat
which cost his life.
r " McCULL0IGH.