80 CARRION CROW. 



Unlike the Rook, the Crow is a somewhat late 

 breeder, not often commencing to build before the 

 end of April or the beginning of May. The nest is 

 built in high trees, of sticks, cemented together with 

 clay and lined with roots and a quantity of wool and 

 fur. Hewitson mentions a curious instance of a 

 pair of crows in 1832, which repaired to one of the 

 Fern Islands to breed ; there being no trees on the 

 island, the nest was built on the ground, and twigs 

 being unobtainable, it was made of pieces of turf laid 

 upon each other; the wool lining was all brought 

 over from the mainland, a distance of five miles. A 

 curious freak on the part of Jim Crow. 



bell for studies had rung, they would perch on the window- 

 sills and watch what was going on in the class-rooms, oc- 

 casionally cawing to attract attention ; sometimes one or 

 other would come into the room and perch himself on the 

 master's desk in front of a class. It was amusing to see how, 

 when the boys were drawn up in line for drill, one or other 

 of these birds would swoop down from a tree, and, flying close 

 over the heads of the rank, firmly light on his master's head 

 or on his outstretched arm. In the latter case he would try 

 to pick a pocket, and if successful, fly off with the spoil. He 

 evidently appreciated the joke of this, as, if pursued, when the 

 order to dismiss had been given, he would withdraw just far 

 enough to be in safety for the moment, and repeat the move 

 when he was again approached. In fact the ^Carrion Crow 

 seems to be like the Magpie in its propensity for carrying 

 away and hiding objects ; anything bright has a special attrac- 

 tion for them in this way. On Sunday last the birds followed 

 us in our afternoon walk, occasionally taking wide excursions 

 over the fields, and then making a straight line again for us 

 in rapid flight. It was quite delightful to observe the thorough 

 confidence they had in the boys. 



" It appears to us so delightful that birds can be kept in this 

 way absolutely free denizens of the air, and yet coming to 

 call as readily as the best trained dog. How different the 

 captive life of the caged songster ! " 



