I40 BIRDS, BEASTS, AND FISHES 



A useful bird is the handsome but sluggish " saddle-back ; " 

 as indeed most carrion-feeders are sluggish, though the 

 superficial have called the grey crow an active bird, who is 

 never still. Methinks they judged the grey crow for the 

 black crow ; quite a different bird, to all but a faddist — that 

 is to say, an "outdoor" naturalist. 



And would it be believed the saddle-back is eaten ? rather 

 secretly, it must be confessed, but eaten he is and in London. 

 Kentishmen are sold and eaten as " sparrow-duck," and I 

 daresay they are good enough, for they are no dirtier feeders, 

 if as dirty, as the domestic duck, whom I have often seen 

 gobble down faeces. Truly we are a strange people ; the 

 duck and pig we cherish, whereas the "sparrow-duck " we 

 throw aside as carrion. Truly matters of taste are not to be 

 argued about. 



