Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 121, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1903 — A Pigeon as Valet to a Crow. [ARTICLE]

A Pigeon as Valet to a Crow.

, “Ton) was the name given to,a lordly young crpw t ”, says Florence M. Kingsley, in, The Ladles’ (Home JnurnaL “Beauty was a snow white pigeon ,of about the crow’s age, with whom /h# was reared. Just how It came about we never knew, but we soon discovered that Beauty regularly acted as maid of all work to Tom., She fetched and carried morsels of food at bis imperious command, and one of her unvarying duties was the preening of her master’s feathers. Tom was very much of a dandy. « His coal black plumage always appeared perfectly dressed and shining, but the arduous labor of his toilet was performed for him twice every day by the humble and affectionate pigeon. “Our fine gentleman would come In from a roll in the dust or a dip In tha fountain and, seating himself upon a certain railing, utter a short, sharp calL Instantly Beauty would descend to his side and begin her task, fluttering anxiously from side, to side as she worked, drawing each shining black feather carefully out to Its full length in her pink bill, Tom megnwhlle dozing luxuriously, with closed eyes ( aftefr the manner of the complacent patron of a skillful barber. If Beauty unfortunately pulled a feather too hard, a squawk and a sudden peck Informed her of her mistake.” . 1