CORVID.E. 



203 



place to place on tlie change of season. They are 

 generally observed in flocks in cultivated grounds, 

 seeking carrion, or worms, grubs, caterpillars, small 

 animals, and the eggs and young of birds, which 

 they destroy in great numbers. Some species are 

 more commonly noticed at the sea-side searching 

 for dead fishes, which the waves continually cast up. 

 In such places they also find shell-fish, which they 

 carry high into the air and drop on the rocks, in 

 order to break the shells. Their cries are hoarse 

 and discordant, especially during their first flight in 



Tig. 84. — the rook 

 (Corvus frugilecjus.) 



the morning, before they scatter themselves into 

 smaller flocks in search of their food, and again 

 on their re-assembling in the evening, and while 

 selecting their separate roosting-places. The nest 

 is generally built on the topmost branches of lofty 



