80 roRViD.E. 



more than two are seldom seen together, unless assembled 

 over a carcase. 



The partiality of this species to animal diet has caused it to 

 be called Flesh Crow and Gor Crow, or Gore Crow ; and in 

 those countries where large flocks of sheep are maintained, 

 the Crow is a lurking and dangerous enemy. They live 

 mostly in woods, or in wooded countries, taking extensive 

 flights in search of food, while their power of vision, and the 

 elevation at which they proceed, afford them a wide field of 

 view. They destroy weak lambs and small quadrupeds, — such 

 as leverets, and young rabbits, — and the young also of fea- 

 thered game and poultry ; they have been seen to kill 

 pigeons. " A Carrion Crow was observed to steal a young 

 duck, which it pounced upon while in a pond, and carried it 

 off in his bill. The Crow did not drop the duck in order 

 to kill it, but laid it down on the ground, walking backwards 

 and forwards, and treading upon it until it was dead, when it 

 was taken to the nest." Another observer states that while 

 looking at " an old sparrow enticing forth its young ones, a 

 Crow pounced upon it, held it between its claws, and in- 

 stantly tore it in pieces, as would a bird of prey. When the 

 meal was completed, it began its hoarse note, and flew off in 

 search of further food." On the coast the Crow picks the 

 soft parts out of dead shell fish, or eats such other refuse as 

 it can find. In default of any sort of animal matter, which 

 it appears greatly to prefer, it will feed on grain, or potatoes, 

 and sometimes on green walnuts. It is observed, like the 

 Raven, and other birds of this family, to hide superfluous 

 food. 



The Crow is an early breeder, like the other species of the 

 genus Corvus, beginning to build or repair its nest in the 

 month of February. The nest is generally placed in a forked 

 branch of a tree ; the outside is framed of sticks and twigs, 

 with a plentiful lining of wool and hair, or other soft ma- 



