122 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



In an evil day he wandered from his usual 

 domain, and settled down upon a garden fence in 

 front of the shop of a tailor, who was stupid and 

 cruel enough to kill the poor bird. 



To return to the crow, which may be considered 

 as a raven of small size, resembling it in all except 

 its bulk. This bird is found throughout England, 

 frequenting the sea-coast in some parts. In those 

 places where large flocks of sheep are kept, it is a 

 dangerous enemy, destroying weak lambs, as well 

 as other small animals, game, and poultry. On the 

 coast it picks the soft parts of dead fish, or eats 

 such refuse as it can find. Like the raven and 

 other birds of the family it conceals superfluous 

 food. Col. Montagu observed two crows by the 

 sea-shore, busy in removing small fish beyond the 

 flux of the flowing tide, and depositing them just 

 above high- water mark, when they had satisfied 

 the cravings of hunger. The male feeds his mate 

 while she remains on the nest, and both defend 

 their young with great courage against birds much 

 larger than themselves. 



There is an intermediate link, seen in some 

 parts of England, between the carrion crow and 

 the rook, namely the HOODED, or ROYSTON CROW. 

 This bird is said to be even more mischievous 

 than the carrion. So destructive are they to young 

 animals, eggs, and poultry in the Orkney and 



