182 OMNIVORvE. 



besides the mere size and colour, sufficient differences of 

 appearance and habit to form a popular distinction. The 

 carrion-crow has much more the air of the raven than the 

 hooded crow; it is heavier in proportion to its length; it is 

 firmer and bolder; it frequents different situations; and even 

 when they are together for a time, the one race go one way, 

 and the other another. 



They nestle in high trees, but they prefer the neighbour- 

 hood of rich countries, and hence they are not found in the 

 Highlands and northern isles. They prowl about even to 

 the doors of the houses, and into the poultry yards, and are 

 voracious devourers of eggs, young poultry, young rabbits, 

 and young game, even more so than the regular birds of 

 prey. They punch out the eyes of weak animals, hawk at 

 birds on the wing, open shelled-mollusca on the sea-shore; 

 and there are modern instances in corroboration of the story 

 of the ancient philosopher who was killed by a crow mis- 

 taking his head for a stone, and dropping an oyster on it in 

 order to break the shell. One of these was seen by the cele- 

 brated Watt. A crow caught up a crab, rose with it to a 

 considerable height, dropped it, not on the head of a modern 

 philosopher, or he might not have come more safely off 

 than the ancient one but on a stone, and descended to her 

 feast. 



Though not a very long winged bird, the carrion crow 

 rises to a considerable height, higher than that at which the 

 hooded crow is seen ; and in defence of her brood she beats 

 off the smaller hawks, the kite, and the raven. The brood 

 remain with the parent birds till next breeding time ; and 

 though these crows collect in small flocks during the winter, 

 they seem to do so rather from an accidental meeting in 

 quest of food than from any principle or instinct of a social 

 nature. During the breeding season, each pair keep within 

 their own territory, which is of considerable extent, though 

 at other times they associate during the night. When the 



