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CROWS. 



They are generally observed in flocks in cultivated grounds, seek- 

 ing carrion, or worms, grubs, caterpillars, small animals, and the 

 eggs of young 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 



HE Raven (Coj'Vus Corax). 



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 the morning, 

 before they scatter themselves into small 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 trees ; it is composed out- 

 wardly of sticks, moss, and small pieces of bark cemented to- 

 gether with moist earth, and the interior is usually lined with 



