BATTLES IN THE AIR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20292, 28 December 1927, Page 10

BATTLES IN THE AIR.

CROWS AND HERONS. Exciting air battles between herons and carrion crows have been witnessed _at Richmond (London). The invading squadrons have been composed of young herons. The older herons know better than to venture into the domain of such relentjess fighters as carrion crows (writes a special correspondent of the Morning Post). The tactics of the combatants are similar to those employed by airmen. Climbing in spirals,_ or darting suddenly upward, the riva!_ birds seek to gain a position from which they may make an effective attack. Whilst the battles rage the peculiar alarm calls of the herons, not unlike the barking of a small dog, are mingled with the battle cries of the crows, which sound more like kow-kaw-ec than the customary alarm call. Suddenly a crow, having _ gained a favourable position, will partially _ close its wings and swoop clown like a_ bird of prey. But the herons, in evading such attacks, often place their enemies at great disadvantage. Carrion crows arc, however, born fighters and know how to make the best of a seemingly difficult position. After prolonged fighting and fluttering of blood-stained feathers to the ground, the young herons arc usually compelled to give up their flight to the river and return to the royal hcrony in Richmond Park. Their cries, as they fly back defeated to the tree tops, arc painful to hear, like the yelping of a puppy rudely ejected from a room by an irritable master: whilst the deep-toned notes of the crows as they return victorious to the bird_ sanctuary in the centre of Richmond goli course have been likened to the sonorous voice of a priest returning thanks for blessings received.