372 



British Cage Birds. 



not fastidious in their choice of viands. They have been 

 known to attack and devour young rabbits, and are courageous 

 enough to tackle full-grown rats, and ultimately kill and eat 

 them. Despite these forbidding characteristics, Crows have 

 their redeeming qualities, for they are very intelligent ; when 

 hand-reared and tamed they are exceedingly amusing, and 

 show a considerable amount of gratitude, and even attach- 

 ment, to those who aid and succour them. They soon become 

 familiar with the members of a household, more particularly 

 with the junior ones, entering into terms of confidence and 

 companionship with them, and following them about from 

 one place to another with the sagacity and docility of a 

 quadruped. When these birds get acccustomed to a house 

 and its inhabitants they rarely leave it ; and, if they should 

 go off during the pairing season, the probability is that, in 

 most cases, they will return again after the moulting period 

 is over. 



The Crow measures from 18in. to 19in. from tip of beak 

 to end of tail, and 2 Gin. from tip to tip of wings ; it weighs, 

 ordinarily, about 20oz. The entire plumage is black, tinted 

 with violet, though these colours are not so radiant in sheen 

 as in the Raven. It is a much duller and heavier-looking 

 bird than the Eook, more lumbering in its flight, and less 

 active in its movements. It flies very high, and utters an 

 almost incessant Caw, caw ! " It is unquestionably courag- 

 eous, and in the breeding season will drive off hawks, and even 

 Ravens, if these birds should venture too near its chosen domain. 



Habits and Beeeding. — The Crow is indigenous to Great 

 Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European 

 countries, and is also found in some parts of North America. 

 It usually builds its nest in well-wooded plantations in culti- 

 vated localities, selecting tall trees for the purpose. Each pair 

 of birds claims a certain area, seldom breeding in close 

 proximity to each other, as Rooks do, but preferring partial 

 isolation during the period of nidification. Crows are mostly 

 to be observed in pairs, which are said to remain faithful 

 to each other during the period of their existence, or until 

 one of them pays the debt of Nature. The nest is composed 

 of twigs, root fibre, and dried grasses, and is lined with wool. 

 The hen lays from four to six bluish green eggs, splashed 

 and spotted with brown and dingy grey, and has young 



