Crow

A few years back, we had quite a murder of crow that lived in our yard. They convened their meetings in the road, they watched us through the windows in the sun room, avidly taking an interest in whatever it was we were doing at the time. 

When Husband threw out stuff for them - bread, chips, popcorn - we could almost immediately hear the watchman caw out and then somewhere around a dozen would fly in. Some would eat there, some would fill their cheeks (do birds have cheeks?) to bulging and fly low and away. 

One of the crows in this murder was one legged. The others made him eat last, but always made sure he ate. Daughter named him Hoppy, because obviously that is what he had to do when he was traveling on the ground. 

That was the winter we had a snow, then another one two days later and then another one a day or so later. It amounted to eight or nine inches at our house, and did not melt quickly.

One morning we had not a dozen crows but at least two dozen and more coming in. Apparently one murder member had spilled the beans or a scout had been sent out. 

The next day Hoppy did not show up for breakfast.

I assume he was (ahem) murdered.

Daughter was pretty upset. I didn't like it much  myself.

The snow melted, the strangers went back to wherever they came from, and we were left with our original murder, sans one.

Now we only have three crows. And they are much smaller than the ones we have always had. 

I've watched them grow this summer, though, so I assume they were the youngsters from last years batch.

I don't know how long crows live, but it seems they all died out at the same time, and only three took nearly a dozens place.

They are smart but more trusting. They  land for food as soon as Husband gets back up the hill, not waiting for him to go inside, much less giving it a few to make sure he's not up to no good.

That's why I think they are the children of a previous generation. They grew up watching what Mama and Papa Crow did and think it's a-okay to eat here, without question.

If Mama and Papa did it, it must be the thing to do right?

Right?