Birds in S.C. likely died in drunken crashes

BLUFFTON, S.C. - It appears that more than 20 dead crows found in Beaufort County apparently broke the cardinal rule of don't drink and fly.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports tests on the dead birds found earlier this week were negative for West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis. Those tests from the state health department were released Friday.

The dead birds were found at Bluffton schools and nearby neighborhoods and officials worried they might have died from mosquito-borne illnesses.

But veterinarian Ben Parker examined six live crows that at first were disoriented, weak and couldn't fly. Later, they all showed signs of improvement.

Parker thinks the crows got into berries or fruit that ferments this time of year and then flew into windows or were hit by cars.