150 NATURALISTS CABINET. 



Superstitious fancies. 



Norway ; but not in any great quantity. Acerbi 

 remarks, that if it makes its appearance in parts 

 where it is not commonly seen, it is considered 

 as a sign of the approaching death of some prin- 

 cipal person in the neighbourhood. In various 

 parts of the north of England, if one of these 

 birds be observed flying by itself, it is accounted 

 by the vulgar a sign of ill omen ; if there are two 

 together, they forebode something fortunate; 

 three indicate a funeral; and four a wedding. 

 Such are the absurd and superstitious fancies still 

 indulged in a Christian and enlightened country! 



THE CINEREOUS CROW, 



THIS bird is so small as seldom to weigh 

 three ounces. Its plumage is brown-grey ; the 

 feathers are very long, soft, and silky, and in ge 

 neral so much unwebbed as in many parts of the 

 body to resemble hair. 



The cinereous crow is very familiar, and fond 

 of frequenting either houses or tents; and is so 

 much addicted to pilfering, that no kind of pro-r 

 visions, either fresh or salted, are secure from 

 its depredations. It is sufficiently bold to come 

 into tents, perch on the edge of a kettle when 

 hanging over the fire, and steal victuals put of 

 the dishes. 



It appears to be very troublesome to the hun- 

 gers, both English and Indian ; frequently follow* 



