S 6S C R O W. 



length, and covered with briftles for two thirds of its length, 

 completely hiding the noftrils : the colour of the whole plumage 

 is a fine rich gloffy blue black, the under parts of a more dull and 

 dufky colour. 

 Places and This bird is well known, though not fo common as the other 



fpecies, in England; it is alfo an inhabitant of many other parts 

 of the world, and every where efteemed for its horrid, though 

 ufeful, appetite for carrion, whereby mankind is relieved from 

 that great fource of putridity and difeafe. We hear of it from 

 Greenland * to the Cape of Good Hope j- on the one fide, and from 

 Canada J to Mexico § on the other j and, no doubt, in the inter- 

 mediate places in general, as many authors might be noted to 

 confirm it. It is a crafty bird, not only fcenting the delightful 

 fmell of carrion at a vaft diftance, but alfo very careful of coming 

 within gun-fhot, fo not eafily killed. When brought up young, 

 is very familiar, yet apt to pilfer; often hiding things of value, 

 to the great lofs of the owner, without ufe to itfelf: it is a long- 

 lived bird. It makes its neft early in the fpring, laying five or 

 fix eggs, of a pale blueifh green colour, fpotted with brown. 

 Though it is believed to be fondeft of carrion, yet it is found to 

 deftroy many living animals : rabbets, young ducks, and chickens, 

 fall a prey to it, and not unfrequently lambs which have been 

 dropped in a weak ftate ; in that cafe, this bird has been known 

 to pick out the creature's eyes while yet alive : will alfo fuck 

 eggs, when it can get at them ; and, if driven by hunger, will eat 

 fhell-fijh, and even worfe things. With us it builds in trees; but 

 in Groenland and Iceland makes its neft in the holes of rocks, 



* Faun. Groen, f Kulben Defer, da Cap, p. 136, J Charlevoix, Kalm. 

 § Fernandez, 



compofing 



