CROW. O 



continue for life ; for the most part makes the nest in a tall tree,* and 

 does not suffer any competitor within a moderate distance. 



The nest is composed of large twigs, lined with wool, hair, &c. 

 placed between the forks of a tree. This bird builds very early in 

 the spring, f and lays five or six pale bluish eggs, J spotted with 

 brown ; seems more fond of carrion than other food, which it will 

 scent at a vast distance, yet is found to destroy many living animals : 

 rabbits, young ducks and chickens fall a prey, as well as their eggs ; 

 and it will peck out the eyes of lambs, which are weak, whilst the 

 creature is yet alive ; will also pick up shell-fish on the shore : is a 

 crafty bird when at large, and not easily shot ; and when brought 

 up tame has been known to pilfer, and hide valuable articles, so as 

 to cause blame and disgrace on persons suspected of the theft. 



It seems an universal species, being found on both Continents from 

 Iceland § to the Cape of Good Hope on the one, and from Canada 

 to Mexico on the other. Known at Hudson's Bay, by the name of 

 Ka-ka-kew : has been killed also in Greenland, but mentioned as a 

 solitary instance : with the natives of Hudson's Bay held in detesta- 

 tion ; yet the Magicians, when they visit the sick, invoke the Raven, 

 and imitate its voice : seen every where in Russia and Siberia, except 

 within the Arctic Circle, and our Circumnavigators found it in 

 Sandwich Islands, in the village of Kackooe ; also at Owhyhee, 

 where it was ranked among the Eatous. || — The bird which M. Le- 

 vaillant found at the Cape of Good Hope was bigger, and the bill 

 more curved ; and according to this author, unites into flocks, attack- 

 ing Antelopes, and killing them. 



* We are told that a pair of Ravens has been known to build in one beech tree for above 

 one hundred years. — Lin. Trans, iii. p. 15. f Sometimes before the end of February. 



% The egg weighs scarcely seven drams, and the female Raven about two pounds ten 

 ounces ; therefore, forty-eight of them will only make up the weight of the bird. The egg 

 of the Cuckow is less disproportionate, requiring only thirty-eight to equal the parent in 

 wei ght .—Montagu . 



§ Hooker's Iceland, p. 31.— but the Crow is not found there. || Cook's Last Voy. 



iii. 161. 



