CARRION CROW. 83 



Like the Raven, the Crows keep in pairs all the year, 

 and more than two are seldom seen together, unless as- 

 sembled 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 feathered 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 instantly 

 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.'* A. E. Knox, Esq. says the Crow 

 eats the freshwater mussel, and on the coast it 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, arid sometimes on green walnuts. It is observed, 

 like the Raven, and some other birds of this family, to 

 hide superfluous food. 



Haydn, in his Dictionary of Dates, says, " that an Act 

 was passed (24th Henry VIII., 1532,) for the destruction 



G 2 



