CHAPTER XLL WINGED VERMIN. 



THE CROW. 



IN outward appearance the crow is neither more nor less 

 than a miniature raven, while also there is so little 

 by which to distinguish it from the rook that the two are 

 often confounded, the only actual difference besides " look " 

 being the bleached beak and the white skin upon the rook's 

 face. The latter however, is decidedly gregarious, while 

 the crow prefers to remain in small parties of a single 

 pair to five or six. The crow, too, is comparatively strong 

 in number, and must be well able to take care of itself, 

 seeing the persecution it receives both from the game- 

 keeper and the farmer. With some little observation it 

 will be noticed that, although it has a penchant for semi- 

 solitary existence, it is much inclined to assemble with 

 others in the morning, to plan, presumably, the course of 

 proceedings for the day, and at evening to discuss them, 

 and further, that these birds have a certain daily routine, 

 more or less closely followed ; particularly is this notice- 

 able in their choice of resting place and manner of going 

 to roost. The former is generally chosen after some seeming 



