352 INSESSORES. CORVUS. CROW. 



In the northern counties of England they resort most to 

 Food. the sea-shore, where they feed upon shell-fish*, and substances 

 thrown up by the tides ; and will sometimes scoop out the 

 stalk of the sea-tangle (Fucus saccharinus), when detached 

 from the rocks by the violence of the waves. They frequent 

 the extensive downs in the southern counties, where they feed 

 in company with others of the genus, upon grain, worms, 

 and carrion. Their note is harsh, rather shriller than that 

 of the Carrion-Crow, and easily distinguished from it. Ac- 

 cording to TEM MINOR, they are found throughout the moun- 

 tainous districts of the east of Europe, and are common in 

 the Alps, where they breed. 



PLATE 29- Figure of the natural size. 



General Bill strong, and in shape very similar to that of the Raven, 

 tion." 1 an d not to that of the Rook, as PENNANT asserts, colour 



black. Head, throat, wings, and tail black, with blue 

 and greenish reflections. Neck and the rest of the body 

 smoke-grey, the shafts of the feathers being dark. Tail 

 rounded at the end. Irides brown. Legs and toes 

 plated, black. 



Sometimes this bird varies in colour, and is found entirely 

 white, or black. 



* I have repeatedly observed one of these birds to soar up to a consider- 

 able height in the air, with a cockle or mussel in its bill, and then drop it 

 upon the rock, in order to obtain the included fish. Dr FLEMING, in his 

 " Philosophy of Zoology," considers instinct, in this degree, as bordering 

 closely upon intelligence, as implying a notion of power, and also of cause 

 and effect. 



