OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 5

OUR BOYS & GIRLS.

THE CROWS’ MILITARY DRILLAgnes Fraser Sandham in St. Nicholas. (Concluded.) * The word to halt was given, however, and each detachment, perched upon its camping trees, awaited orders. As if it was perfectly understood that after drill they were to “roost at ease,” a terrible cawing commenced. It seemed that each crow meant to lot them all understand that he was the best-drilled bird in the brigade. ‘Yon will peroeive that by this time I had learned something, and, according to old Ned’s remark, “ things were interesting.” I became very curious to know more, but had to wait until the following evening. Next time there was another advance; for, when the regiment received the order to march, there was no sign of their halting in their flight; but, after scurrying round the circle once or twice, at a sign from the leader some of them left the main body and flew ahead till they reached the advance guard, and the right and left wings of scouts took their places. The birds then on dnty slackened their flight and gradually rejoined the main body. The same thing was repeated by the rear guard. It became evident that the general not only intended to guard bis army, but also had arranged to relieve those who were sent out upon this special duty. In fact, no human general could have thought out all probable contingencies and prepared for them better than did this “old black crow.” ‘Next day, feeling encouraged by the “pride that cometh by knowledge,” I reported to my neighbour what I knew about crows. For a moment there was a decided relaxation of his usual set expression as he Boliloquised thus : “ Mebbe he’ll lam some, tb ng yet Under these circumstances I felt encouraged to ask a question which had been puzzling me. ‘ “ Now, Ned. when do you think they will finally start south ?” ‘ The usual pause ensued ; then he asked : ‘“Did you say, boy, that the old chap was teaching them to take spalls watching out for danger ?” * “Yes.” I replied; “he certainly relieved guard last night.” ‘“Well, if you can manage to get out of the house a deal earlier than usual in the mornin’, you’ll see ’em start, —or the mornin’ after that at the latest.” * That night I was awake most of the night, so as to be sure to be up in time to see the crows’ Grand Army upon its line of march to its winter quarters. When tired nature had the better of me, I would awake with a start, terrified to think the birds were already miles on their way to the “sunny South”; but the incessant cawing would soon reassure me. At last, looking out of my window, a cold lemon-coloured light was visible, and the usual “ crow music ” seemed redoubled. Dressing hastily, I went to my favourite spot by the stone fence ; there was hardly any movement among the birds, but the noises were deafening ; and now I became convinced that I saw the whole army in full force. The early hour and the unusual noise may have given an exaggerated idea of their number, but, certainly., trees that under ordinary circumstances had but few, if any, crows on them, were now alive with birds

* At last the sun rose, making the hemlock trunks look orange against the cool sky at their backs. Each branch, being loaded with black, pave an effect reversed in colour but similar in form to the appearance of the «n»me trees a month or two later during the first snow-storm. After waiting for seme time, the vcice of the oenersl sounded forth the order to,march. The advance guard at once arose wi'h their usual “Caw!” and thou in silence started due south, flying on a horizontal plane only a few feet higher than the trees they had left. At the word, the other guards flew out as right and left wings, but maintaining the same height in the air as the pioneers in fact, all appeared as if moving along an invisible railroad track. As soon as the advance parties had taken their posts, the general save the signal starting the main army in motion. There was now little or no noise other thou that caused by the movement of their wings. * In to an order given by the leader at tke head, and paf-sed from one crow to another at irregular intervals along the line, the rear guard took their position in a somewhat scattered and fan-like shape. * I glanced down the hillside, and some distance away, noticed a farmer directly in their line of march. He held something in his band, but be was so far off it was difficult to tell whether it was a gun, a pitch, fork, or merely a stick. I am inclined to think it was a gun. judging from the military precautions of the crows. One of the leading birds in the advance guard gave a

sharp “ Caw!” and immediately rose several hundred feet higher. The warning was rapidly passed back, and the whole army rose up to the new line of flight. Bere I noticed a difference between the tactics of soldiers and those of the crows. At the word of command the whole command of crows raised their grade of flight. In the volunteer regiment, to which I then belonged, we would have altered our line of march only as each company reached the point at which the first company had been ordered to change its course. ‘ After the crows passed over the object of their suspicion, a series of caws were given, but whether by the rear guard, after they realised they were past the danger, or in response to the leader, the distance between us was too great for me to decide. Whichever it was, they all gradually settled down to the level they had taken when starting from the trees, and this they kept until they become a grey cloud in the distance, and then melted out of sight in the glowing southern sky. * I faced toward the house, and was struck by the absolute silence and loneliness that bad fallen on everything. ‘lt was wish a hearty welcome I greeted the time-scarred face of Ned Greer, whom I saw approaching with his queer rambling gait. ‘ “ How far do you suppose those crows will travel to-day, Ned ?” I asked. ‘ “ Mebbe fifty miles, more or less.” * As he started to walk away, the sense of loneliness again took possession of me, and I ran after him, feeling that I needed companionship more than my breakfast. “What are you going to do next ?” was my question. “ Well, it’s time to attend to the winter traps. I’m convinced that those crows know pretty well when winter’s near.” ’ (The End.)