278 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



con v us. 



Coione (Gr. Kopuvrj), t/,c Crew. 



ing round the hen, she resolutely defended them, and drove the 

 crow into an apple-tree, whither she pursued him with such 

 spirit and intrepidity, that he was glad to make a speedy re- 

 treat and abandon his design."* 



It also carries off eggs, by pouncing upon them, and driving 

 its bill through the shell. It will be seen, from the following- 

 anecdote, that mice and rats are not unaccustomed food. 



In a field near a gentleman's house about a mile frcm 

 Caernarvon there are some outbuildings much infested with 

 rats. Four or five traps are set on the premises every night, 

 and it is the business of a servant-man to go to the spot 

 between five and six in the morning. He is always punctually 

 met by a company of crows that station themselves at a little 

 distance, and most narrowly watch all his proceedings. No 

 sooner does he remove his captives from the traps and throw 

 them into the field, than the carnival begins. The crows 

 seize upon their booty, scientifically perforate the integuments, 

 and scoop out and devour every particle of flesh, even in the 

 head. In a very short time the skins are turned inside out, 



* Waterton. 



