l■J_^ Till', Carriox-Crow 



of all kinds are devoured greedil}', as well as insects, their larvae, and grain. In 

 the winter lie is more limited and has to content himself with grain, berries, and 

 such weakly half-starved birds or beasts as he can manage to kill. 



Mr. O. V. Aplin ("Zoologist," 1883, p. 409) published the following note on 

 the food of this species : — " An old disused bridle-gate .standing near one corner 

 of Clattercutt Reservoir has this season served as a feeding spot for a pair of 

 Carrion-Crows, which reared their young in a tall elm on one side of the pool. 

 One evening in June, after the grass was cut, I found strewn around it the 

 remains of several toads and frogs, and of one partly fledged nestling finch, also 

 a number of broken shells of the eggs of the Wild Duck and Partridge. The 

 state the gate was in showed that it was a much frequented perch, and a tell-tale 

 wing-feather would have named the robber even if he had not hurriedly left an 

 adjacent tree at my approach, and with loud croaks expressed his displeasure at 

 my intrusion on his banqueting hall. I have always tried to defend this fine 

 bird, and was sorry to find such ample proof of its destructive habits. Only a 

 few days ago (October 1883) I counted thirty-two Crows in a stubble-field close 

 to this village, and considering their abundance in this district, it is only a 

 wonder that any game or wildfowl can rear their j'oung at all." 



Although inclined to a solitary life during the breeding-season* the Carrion- 

 Crow is seen in larger or smaller crowds during the autumn and winter : con- 

 siderable numbers arrive on our eastern coasts in autumn. 



Seebohm's statement that this bird "makes almost as engaging a pet as the 

 Raven" hardly accords with Lord Lilford's opinion of the Carrion-Crow. The 

 following is Mr. Bonhote's experience, communicated November and, 1896: — 

 " The Hooded and Carrion-Crows are to be strictly avoided ; the latter bird 

 when hand-reared is very tame and can articulate a few words, but has no 

 interesting actions or habits and scarcely moves the whole day. The former bird 

 (Grey Crow) is not only stupid, but dangerous, and is never satisfied till he has 

 the whole aviary to himself, having murdered the other inmates." 



* This binl lias, however, heeu known to l)iiikl among Rooks, Init Ihey do not appear to appreciate his 

 society. 



