I WAS interested to read of Colin the Crow in Brin Best's Nature Notes (Gazette and Observer Nov 26).

It took me back 30 years to when I lived in Bathgate, Scotland. A friend and I were walking along a path when we happened across a crow sitting in a hedge with one its wings spread out, obviously injured.

Luckily I'd a newspaper with me so I folded it in half and when to pick up the bird. My friend remonstrated and said: "It'll attack you." I responded that I had to try otherwise it would die.

I carefully folded the paper over the bird's back, he made no attempt to move and allowed me to pick him up. So we took him home and put him in the conservatory while I went to see a friend who was very interested in birds. Patsy brought a box to put him in, as she knew of a bird sanctuary which might be able to help him.

That did prove possible, but he was never able to be released into the wild again. I just hope he had a long and happy life in his new home. Yes, I think crows are very clever birds.

Another incident occurred with a jackdaw nesting, which might be of interest to Brin Best. The baby was in danger of slipping off the pavement into the road so I carefully nudged it back onto the pavement with my foot when its mother flew down and pecked my head with her beak!

Moya P. Knapp-Smith

Burley-in-Wharfedale