216 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



others, and will immediately attack any bird of prey 

 which may approach its nest, and, as we have fre- 

 quently observed in Spain, hold its own, when feeding 

 on a carcass, amongst Vultures of various species, 

 Kites, &c. From a game-preserver's point of view, 

 the Raven, though decidedly a powerful enemy, is 

 not so pernicious as the Grey Crow, Corvns comix ; 

 and though, as we have above stated, the former bird 

 has a decided liking for eggs, he does not, to our 

 knowledge, quarter over a Grouse-moor in search of 

 them, as the latter constantly does. The Highland 

 shepherds hold the Raven in abhorrence from his 

 undeniable habit of attacking their newly born 

 lambs, but we know an old Highland gamekeeper 

 who, after long experience on the moors, maintained 

 that a pair of Ravens were rather beneficial than 

 otherwise to game, on account of their driving away 

 Eagles, Hawks of all kinds, and the aforesaid Grey 

 Crows. 



The Raven is found more or less commonly in all 

 parts of Europe and large districts of Asia and 

 N. America. 



95. CARRION-CROW. 



Corvus corone. 



Although our friend Professor A. Newton treats 

 this bird as not to be distinguished specifically from 

 the Grey Crow, Corvus comix, and although we 

 cannot pretend to sufficient knowledge to pronounce 

 decidedly on such a difficult subject, we at present 

 prefer to treat of the two birds as distinct species, 

 as we feel no doubt they are so considered by those 



