230 CARRION CROW. 



and neck longer, and more marked. In the 

 height of plumage, during the breeding season, 

 its clear and dark glossy plumage, with brilliant 

 steel-blue reflections, render it a beautiful object 

 for the ornithologist. 



THE CARRION CROW, CORVUS CORONE, Linn. 

 Corvus corone, Linn. fyc. Carrion Crow of 

 British authors. The British species, next in 

 size and strength to the Raven, is the Carrion 

 Crow, so named apparently from its preference 

 to dead animal matter, either newly killed, or in 

 a state of carrion. This bird is of very common 

 distribution over the greater part of Britain, 

 inhabiting chiefly wooded districts, and the pre- 

 sence of a dying or newly killed animal is surely 

 indicated by the assemblage of these birds ; but 

 although this is the case, the food is very various, 

 or rather indiscriminate, grain, berries, insects, 

 weak or small animals, young birds, eggs, &c. ; 

 and it is chiefly persecuted on account of its 

 depredations on the game, attacks on the poultry 

 yard, or occasionally on weak lambs or fallen 

 sheep ; from the latter we have at times seen the 

 eyes torn out before the animal was dead, and 

 before it could be relieved. Minnows and small 

 fishes are frequently watched for in the shallow 

 pools by the edges of rivers, &c. and on the coast 

 the sea wrack is almost daily examined, the shoals 

 are waded through, and in both abundance of food 

 is obtained ; shell-fish is also eaten, and the manner 



