o4 
part of the horizon; presently another will appear ; then another and 
another, until they will be observed coming from all quarters ; not, 
however, in a direct line towards the object, but in more or less ex- 
tensive gyrations. There can be no doubt that the first Carrion Crow 
that sees the object, by an increased energetic quickness of its flight, 
gives notice to those which are within its sphere of vision that there 
is game in view, which accounts satisfactorily enough for the vast 
number of these birds which are collected from every quarter of the 
horizon in so short a time after a dead body is exposed. Indeed, to 
the eye of the common observer, the difference of motion of a Vultur 
iota on the look-out, and after it has sighted its quarry, is very re- 
markable. The former is a slow, steady and gentle soar, in small 
gyrations, at an equal height ; the head of the bird, if it be examined 
with a glass, being seen turning from side to side. The latter is a 
rapid and energetic advance, every hundred yards or so the speed 
being increased by several vigorous flaps of the wings. It appears to 
me to be quite unnecessary to enter into the discussion, as to whether 
this bird hunts by sight or scent, as it is quite sufficiently established 
that it is assisted by both senses. The instant a snake is killed, the 
Carrion Crow will, if in the neighbourhood, sight the object, and 
speedily descend and commence his attacks upon the dead animal. 
Or if a negro lets fall a calabash with eggs, and they are broken, the 
Carrion Crow will soon be seen feasting on the unwonted luxury. If, 
on the other hand, a body be imperfectly interred, this bird will, so 
soon as putrefaction has commenced, be seen in the neighbourhood 
perched upon a tree or tombstone, and apparently much puzzled to 
know where the piece of mortality can lie concealed which evolves 
the, to him, delicious fragrancy. If the body be that of a tough- 
skinned animal, such as an ox or horse, the Crows will wait, perched 
on trees in the neighbourbood, until putrefaction has softened it suffi- 
ciently for them to feed on it. Their bills and feet are remarkably 
weak. They build in very high trees nests of broken sticks. The 
eges when broken have a semi-putrid odour. It is worthy of remark 
that the Carrion Crow is common about the streets of New Amster- 
dam, scarcely getting out of the way of the passengers; while in George- 
town, not more than sixty miles distance, this bird is never seen in 
the streets. The former town is said to be much more cleanly and 
well-kept than the latter. 
The YELLOW-NECKED CARRION Crow. 
This bird is smaller and more slender than the common Carrion 
Crow. It is found principally about the creeks of Mahaica and Ma- 
haicony. It is less numerous than the Black-headed Carrion Crow. 
It is not either so gregarious a feeder, and appears to search for 
smaller carcases, such as the putrid fish on the dried savannahs bor- 
dering the creeks. There is certainly, with the exception of the 
colour of the head and neck, the absence of warts, and the slender 
form of the body, but a very slight specific difference between this 
bird and the former. The colour is black, with blue and greenish 
iridescence. 
