The Crow

The crow is a most fascinating creature, in many ways a reflection of actions and interests of humans:

"Crows exhibit their intelligence by imitating a large number of sounds, including whistles, cats, machines and the human voice. Crows have a good vocabulary -- a wide range of caws, crowing noises, coos, and other soft, melodious sounds they use to communicate with each other."[1]

In addition, crows are collectors. Adam Smith, the great economist, once observed that outlays on 'trinkets of frivolous utility" are what "keeps in continual motion the industry of mankind."[2] Perhaps we think this is merely a quirk of humans, but no: "Crows are curious. Shiny objects fascinate them, and they have been known to fly off with bits of glass, rings, keys, etc."[1] It might be that they collect such things for use as reference points: "They are great problem solvers especially when it comes to getting food). They hide food on the beach and use landmarks to find it again."[3] But if those reference markers are moved, the crow cannot find the food again.

Again, the crow is a most fascinating creature, in many ways a reflection of actions and interests of humans

REFERENCES

[image] WKTV-Utica (Accessed 5/2/2008)
{http://media.wktv.com/images/crow1207.jpg}

[1] Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management "Ravens and Crows" (Accessed 5/2/2008)
{http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=458&q=150475}

[2] "The Rise of the Gulf" The Economist April 26, 2008, p. 15.

[3] Island Discovery & Training "The Crow" (Accessed 5/2/2008) {http://www.naturepark.com/crow.htm}