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legs are black, and fmaller than thofe of the rook ; 
and the bottoms of the toes, which are very broad 
and flat, enable it to walk, without finking, in 
muddy and marlhy grounds, to which it greatlv 
reforts. 
Crow, Indian. This fpecies, which has a yel- 
low ftreak, of an uncommon form, running from 
the top of the head to the eyes, is of the colour of 
the commion pigeon; and the lafl: quill-feathers of 
the wings are each marked with a red ftreak in the 
middle. There are two birds of this kind ; the bill 
and legs of thelargeft are of a bright yellow ; but the 
fmalleft is wholly red, mixed with a Httle yellow. 
Crow, Carolinian. Lawfon affirms that the 
flelh of this fpecies is as proper for food, and as 
palatable, as that of the pigeon. It never feeds on 
carrion, but is a great enemy to corn-fields ; and 
it's voice and manner of building it's neft refem- 
ble thofe of the rook. 
. CROWN IMPERIAL SHELL. A fpecies 
of the voluta. 
CRUCIAN. This m, which is called the 
cyprinus carafTius by Linnseus, is common in 
many of the filh-ponds in the vicinity of London, 
and other parts of the fouth of England; but, ac- 
cording to Pennant, is not a native fiih. It is very 
deep and thick; the back is much arched; the dor- 
fal fin confifts of nineteen rays, the two firft of 
which are ftrong and ferrated ; . the pectoral fins 
have each thirteen rays, the ventral nine, and tlie 
anal feven or eight; the lateral line runs parallel; 
and the tail is almoft even at the extremity. 
This fifh is generally of a deep yellow colour; 
and the fiefh is coarfe, and not much elteemed 
among thofe who have higher luxuries at com- 
mand. 
CRUSTACEOUS FISH. A name of dif- 
tinftion given to fuch fifhes as are covered with 
fhells compofed of feveral pieces or fcales, fuch as 
crabs and lobfters. Thefe fliells are ufually fofrer 
than thofe of the teftaceous kind, which confift of 
a fingle piece, and are commonly much thicker 
and ftronger than the former; fuch as thofe of tlie 
oyfter, fcallop, and cockle. 
CRUYSHAGE. A filh of the fliark kind, 
fomewhat approaching to that fingular one called 
the zygaena, but much lefs monftrous, it's head 
being only triangular, or fomeching of the lhape of 
a heart; whence Willughby has named it zygsn.^ 
affinis capite triangulo. The eyes are very linall, 
and placed at the fides of the head; and the mouth, 
wliich is fmall and triangular, and fituated a great 
way beyond the end of the nofe, is furnifhed with 
three rows of very minute teeth. 
CUCKOW. A diftina genus of birds of the 
order of picie in the Linnsean fyftem of zoology ; 
the chara6ters of which are, that the feet are adapted 
for climbing, having two toes before, and two be- 
hind; that the bill is fmooth, and fomewhat arched ; 
that the tail is whole, and compofed of ten feathers ; 
that the tongue is Ihort and membranaceous, and 
terminated by hairs ; and that the noftrils are pro- 
minent. Linnaeus enumerates tv>?enty-two fpecies. 
The note of the Cuckow is univerfally known; 
but it's hiftory and nature are enveloped in obfcu- 
rity. It has been alTerted by fome, that this bird 
devours it's parent; and that it changes it's nature 
with the feafon, and becomes a Iparrow-hawk : but 
thefe legends have long fince been fufficiently con- 
futed. Still, however, it remains a fecret where 
the Cuckow refides in winter, and how it is nou- 
riflied during that inclement feafon. 
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The claws and bill of the Cuckov; are fmaller 
and weaker than thofe of other rapacious fowls. 
This fingular bird, v.'hich is fomewhat lefs than 
the pigeon, lhaped like the magpie, and of a greyifi-j 
colour, is diftinguifhed from all others bv it's 
round, prominent noftrils, on die furface of the bill. 
The lower part of the body is of a yellowilh co- 
lour, with black tranfverfe lines under the throat, 
and on the top of the breaft; the head, the upper 
part of the body, and the wings, are beautifully 
marked with tawny and black tranfparent ftripes; 
and on the top of the head there are a few white 
fpots. The extremities of the feathers on the 
rump and the bottom of the back are white; and 
the inner edges of the exterior parts of the wings 
are painted with large tranfverfe white fpots. The 
tail, which is pretty long, is tranfverfely maiked 
with black and tawny ftreaks;.and on the exterior 
edges of the feathers tiiere are feveral white fpots. 
The legs are fliort, and covered with feathers down 
to tlie very feet, which are weak, and yellowillii 
and the claws are nearly of the fame colour. It 
lias four toes, two of which are placed before, and 
two behind; and the mouth is large, and yellowifh 
on the infide. 
Afier having difappeared during the winter, the 
Cuckow is difcovered in this country early in the 
fpring by means of it's well-known voice. It is 
indeed filent for fome little time after it's aj-rival; 
and, when it exerts it's note, it is only a call to love 
ufed by the male, which is commonly perched on 
a dead tree, or bare bough, repeating his fong, 
which he relinquiflies as fbon as the aniorous fea- 
fon is paft. The note of this bird is fo uniform, 
that his name, in every language, feems to have 
been derived from it; and in all countries it is 
ufed in the fame opprobrious fenfe. This re- 
proach, however, probably originated from die 
Cuckow's making ufe of the neft ofa different bird, 
in which to depofit it's eggs, and leaving the care 
of it's young to fome other of the feathered tribe. 
A water-wagtail, or even a hedge-fparrow, generally 
officiates as nurfe to the Cuckow's young brood; 
and, if they happen to be hatclied at the fame time 
with the genuine offspring, they quickly defrroy 
them by overlaying, as their magnitude is very fbon 
greatly fuperior. 
From the curious voice of the Cuckow, the farm- 
er may be inflruded In the real advancement of 
the feafon. Human calculations, it is well known, 
are liable to much fallibility; but, as the note of 
this bird depends on a certain temperature of the 
air, it may with no fltiall degree of propriety be ac- 
counted an unerring guide. 
The note of the Cuckow, though uniform, is 
yet pleaiant; and, from an aflbciation of ideas, fel- 
dom recurs to the memory without putting us in 
mind of the fweets of that feafon in which nature 
wantons in beautiful luxuriance, the eye is grati- 
fied with the moft pleafing objeils, and the ear wiift 
the moft delightful harmony. 
When the Cuckow is fjfficiently fledged, and 
of courfe prepared for flight, it does not long tend; 
it's fuppoied parent; for, as it's appetites for in-j 
fedt-food increafe, it cannot expe61: to obtain a fup- 
ply by imitating it's little inftru£tor: it therefore 
takes a final leave of, and feldom offers any vio- 
lence to, it's nurfe. All the little birds, hov/ever, 
who confider the young Cuckov/ as their enerny, 
and revenge the caufes of their kind by repeated 
infults, compofe die train of it's purfuers: but the 
wryneck is the moil aftive in die chace; and from 
hencs 
