54 



part of the horizon ; presently another will appear ; then another and 

 another, imtil they ^vill be observed coming from all quarters ; not, 

 however, in a direct line towards the object, but in more or less ex- 

 tensive gyrations. There can be no doubt that the first Cariion Crow 

 that sees the object, by an increased energetic quickness of its flight, 

 gives notice to those which are within its sphere of ^dsiou that there 

 is game in view, wliich accounts satisfactorily enough for the vast 

 number of these birds which are collected from every quarter of the 

 horizon in so short a time after a dead body is exposed. Indeed, to 

 the eye of the common observer, the difference of motion of a Vultur 

 iota on the look-out, and after it has sighted its quarry, is very re- 

 markable. The former is a slow, steady and gentle soar, in small 

 gyrations, at an equal height ; the head of the bird, if it be examined 

 with a glass, being seen turning from side to side. The latter is a 

 rapid and energetic advance, every hundred yards or so the speed 

 being increased by several vigorous flaps of the wings. It appears to 

 me to be quite unnecessaiy to enter into the discussion, as to whether 

 this bird hunts by sight or scent, as it is quite sufficiently established 

 that it is assisted by both senses. The instant a snake is killed, the 

 Carrion Crow will, if in the neighbourhood, sight the object, and 

 speedily descend and commence his attacks upon the dead animal. 

 Or if a negro lets fall a calabash with eggs, and they are broken, the 

 Carrion Crow will soon be seen feasting on the unwonted luxury. If, 

 on the other hand, a body be imperfectly interred, this bird will, so 

 soon as putrefaction has commenced, be seen in the neighbourhood 

 perched upon a tree or tombstone, and apparently much puzzled to 

 know where the piece of mortality can Ue concealed which evolves 

 the, to him, delicious fragrancy. If the body be that of a tough- 

 skinned animal, such as an ox or horse, the Crows will wait, perched 

 on trees in the neighbourhood, until putrefaction has softened it suffi- 

 ciently for them to feed on it. Their bills and feet are remarkably 

 weak. They build in very high trees nests of broken sticks. The 

 eggs when broken have a semi-putrid odour. It is worthy of remark 

 that the Carrion Crow is common about the streets of New Amster- 

 dam, scarcely getting out of the way of the passengers ; while in George- 

 town, not more than sixty miles distance, this bird is never seen in 

 the streets. The former town is said to be much more cleanly and 

 well-kept than the latter. 



The Yellow-necked Carrion Crow. 



This bird is smaller and more slender than the common Carrion 

 Crow. It is found prmcipally about the creeks of Mahaica and Ma- 

 haicony. It is less numerous than the Black-headed Carrion Crow. 

 It is not either so gregarious a feeder, and appears to search for 

 smaller carcases, such as the putrid fish on the dried savannahs bor- 

 dering the creeks. There is certainly, with the exception of the 

 colour of the head and neck, the absence of warts, and the slender 

 form of the body, but a very slight specific difference between this 

 bird and the former. The colour is black, with bine and greenish 

 iridescence. 



