98 ORNITHOLOGICAL KAMBLES. 



here, amidst forests of oak, and dense thickets, 

 interwoven with briars and brushwood, he dwells 

 in comparative security, and has ample opportu- 

 nities of indulging his vagrant habits and his 

 predilection for all kinds of animal food. Besides 

 the young of small quadrupeds, carrion of all 

 kinds, and the eggs of pheasants, partridges and 

 poultry, he is exceedingly fond of a species of 

 fresh - water mussel (Anodon anatina] which 

 abounds in all the brooks and ponds in the clay 

 district of the weald of Sussex, and from this 

 circumstance, has among the country people ac- 

 quired the local name of " crow-mussel." 



After continued and heavy falls of rain the mea- 

 dows in the neighbourhood of these brooks are 

 inundated to a considerable extent, and quantities 

 of this shell-fish, disturbed from the muddy bed 

 of the stream, are carried over and deposited on 

 the banks, where they remain high and dry after 

 the falling of the water. On such occasions the 

 carrion crow is not idle : as the floods retire he 

 may be seen issuing from the neighbouring woods, 

 expressing his delight, or announcing his disco- 

 very to his mate by his frequent croakings ; flying 

 steadily along the edge, but checking his progress 

 every now and then to seize and devour a newly 

 exposed prize; while another may be observed 

 parading up and down the banks, wading knee- 



