Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1877 — A Scientific Scarecrow. [ARTICLE]

A Scientific Scarecrow.

’ tr The Scientific American gives the following directions for making a scarecrow on scientific principles: < “ The first and the best is a suspended looking-glass. Take ; tw6 small, cheap mirrors, fasten then* back to back, attach a cord to one angle and hang them to an elastic pole.' When' 1 the glass swings, the sun’srays are reflected all over the field, even if it be a large one, and even the oldest and bfctvest or chows will depart precipitately should one of its lightning flashes fail on, him. The second plan, although a terror to crows, is especially well suited to fields subject to the inroads of smalhbirds and even chickens. It involves hijkrtiflcialnawfe, made from a big potato and long goOrn and turkey feathers.. The maker can exercise his imitative skill in sticking the feathers into the potato so that they resemble the spread wings and tail of the hawk. It is astonishing what a ferocious-looking bird of prey can be constructed from the above simple mateterial. It only remains to hang the object from a tall, bent pole, and the wind will do thereat. Tbe bird will make swoops and dashes in the most headlong and threatening manner. Even the most inquisitive of vfenerable hens bn been known to hurry rapidly from its dangerous vicinity, while to small birds it carries nnnylrwl dismay.”