238 CROWS AND ROOKS. 



and was supposed 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 com- 

 pany 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. 



It has been observed, that they are usually of soli- 

 tary habits, seldom associating in greater numbers 

 than pairs; but this rule has also its exceptions, and 

 the following instances of the mysterious assemblages 

 of birds may be justly classed amongst their most 

 extraordinary instinctive habits. 



In the northern parts of Scotland, and in the 

 Feroe Islands, extraordinary meetings of Crows are 

 occasionally known to occur. They collect in great 

 numbers, as if they had been all summoned for the 

 occasion; a few of the flock sit with drooping heads, 

 and others seem as grave as judges, while others 

 again, are exceedingly active and noisy; in the course 

 of about an hour they disperse, and it is not uncom- 

 mon, after they have flown away, to find one or two 

 left dead on the spot. Another writer* says, that 

 these meetings will sometimes continue for a day or 

 two, before the object, whatever it may be, is com- 

 pleted ; Crows continue to arrive from all quarters 

 during the session. As soon as they have all arrived, 

 a very general noise ensues, and shortly after, the 



* Dr. Edmonston's Shetland Isles. 



