PERCHING BIRDS. 131 
had remained on the tree a quiet spectator of the 
combat. 
In February, 1855, I passed through a field where a 
dead horse was lying, on which two shepherd dogs were 
making their repast. A pair of hooded crows, attracted 
by the carrion, came sailing by, and alighted on the 
ground within a few yards of the carcase; both the 
dogs immediately ceased their feast and sprang at the 
birds with a grow], driving them off to a short distance. 
Nothing daunted, the birds returned, and again were 
driven off, and this was repeated many times, on each 
occasion the birds approaching nearer the horse until 
they settled down on the carcase within two feet or so 
of the dogs; but they were excessively wary, and if 
either of the dogs ceased eating, or raised his head, the 
crows sprang to the wing in a moment; and in this way 
they managed to secure a portion of the coveted food. 
It was during a severe frost, which perhaps had sharpened 
their appetites and rendered them more fearless than 
usual. 
The food of the hooded crow during its inland sojourn 
seems to be chiefly carrion, worms, and grubs, and they 
likewise devour eggs. I once watched one flying near 
the island in Thoresby Lake, where a party of five 
herons sat preening their feathers, while a sixth was 
sailing overhead. On the approach of the crow the 
heron on the wing immediately gave chase, uttering 
shrill cries; hoodie, however, exhibited no boldness this 
time, but sneaked away without delay. The island is 
covered with tall trees, in which the herons build one or 
two nests each spring, but the eggs are usually destroyed 
by the carrion crow; possibly the hoodie was mistaken 
for one of his sable brethren, and hence the attack. 
K 2 
