246 coRViD^. 



straight, that if a whole flock could be tracked through the 

 air on any one evening it would be found scarcely to deviate 

 from that of the preceding or the following. It is to be 

 feared that this inaccurate application of names has done 

 the Eook ill service ; yet the two birds are totally distinct. 

 Crows are solitary birds, rarely being seen in more than 

 pairs together ; Rooks are eminently sociable. Crows 

 shun the haunts of men : Eooks court the vicinity of his 

 dwellings. Crows are carnivorous ; Eooks feed principally 

 on the grubs of beetles, worms, and noxious insects, reward- 

 ing themselves occasionally for their services by regaling 

 on corn and fruits, but rarely touching carrion or molesting 

 living animals. In appearance the two birds are much 

 alike ; the Crow, however, is somewhat smaller, the beak 

 is stouter at the point and encircled at the base with 

 numerous short feathers, while the bill of the Eook is 

 encroached on by a white membrane which is almost bare 

 of feathers. Both are noted for their intelligence ; the 

 Crow has been known to remove its eggs from its nest 

 when apprehensive of danger ; it was held in high con- 

 sideration in the days of augury, and certain of its move- 

 ments were considered to be indicative of changes in the 

 weather. It builds its nest of sticks, and lines it with 

 moss, straw, hair, and wool, and lays from four to six eggs. 

 Like the Eaven, it is a widely-diffused bird, and attains a 

 great age, outliving (the ancients said) nine generations of 

 men, showing great attachment to any spot in which it has 

 once fixed its home, and suffering neither its own progeny 

 nor any other large birds to nestle in its vicinity. 



