CROWS AND ROOKS. 191 



break through the hard shell of a cockle or mussel, to 

 seize it in their bill, mount with it to a great height, and 

 then let it fall on a hard rock, by which it is broken, and 

 the bird has nothing more to do than to reap the fruits of 

 its forethought. 



It is said that this species of Crow will pair with the 

 common Crow, a proof how nearly allied the two species 

 are; as it seems almost an established law of nature, one 

 at least rarely infringed, that neither animals nor birds 

 essentially differing, however near may be their apparent 

 resemblance, will ever breed together. One great difference, 

 besides the colour, which in the Hooded Crow is, as we 

 have remarked, partly gray, is, that the latter is a regular 

 migrating bird, that is, going and coming at certain times 

 of the year, to certain districts. But even in this respect the 

 Carrion Crow has been known to resemble it in a slight 

 degree ; it having been remarked by a naturalist, that in the 

 parish in which he resided no Crows were seen for several 

 months, and what became of them, or whither they went, he 

 could never learn. 



The Crow, like the Kaven, may be easily tamed, and 

 converted into a very entertaining member of a family ; 

 though, like the rest of the tribe, he is sure to carry off, 

 to some secret store, whatever he can conveniently dis- 

 pose of. He soon becomes quite familiar, and distinguishes, 

 at a glance, a stranger from one of his friends ; and, even 

 after a long absence, will recollect those from whom he has 

 received kindness. A gentleman had reared one, and kept it 

 for a long time, but at length it disappeared, and was sup- 

 posed to have been killed ; when, to his great surprise, about 

 a year afterwards, as he was walking out, a Crow, flying 

 over his head, in company with others, left them, and, flying 

 towards him, perched on his shoulder. He soon recognised 

 the bird to be his lost favourite ; but, though the Crow 

 appeared very glad to see its old master, it seemed to have 

 learned the value of liberty, and would not allow itself to be 

 caught ; and at last, looking up after its companions, again 

 took wing, and was never seen or heard of more. 



