GREY CROW. 
3 
two previously, lie had discovered a party of eight or ten gathered round the hare that had been used as a 
bait. As they were so intent on the food, with which the whole number were busily engaged, he was enabled 
to crawl within range, and succeeded in stopping three or four with his two barrels. On examining the trap 
he was surprised to find that one of the Crows had been held a prisoner; his misfortune, however, had not the 
slightest effect in deterring the others or impairing his appetite. 
Of late years 1 have always made a practice of setting two or more traps to every bait, the two nearest the 
quarry being placed side by side. By these means I have often secured vermin that were but slightly held by 
one ol the traps, as during their struggles they have blundered into the second. Early in December 1881, 
when visiting the traps I had set at the carcass of a domestic cat, on a marsh in the neighbourhood of one of 
the large broads in the east of Norfolk, I found a couple of these Crows, one being held by each of the traps. 
Having been placed as close as possible, it is strange how the two had been taken. Each of the poor wretches 
evidently imagined that his misfortune was due to his companion in adversity, as they were fighting 
desperately when first seen. Only the previous day a Black Crow had been secured at the same spot ; and this 
malefactor had managed to spring botli traps, and was discovered with one leg in each. 
During the autumnal migration I have often met with Grey Crows on the North Sea, apparently tired 
out by their long flight, and glad of a rest on any boat or vessel they might meet in their course. These 
birds, according to my observations, seldom fly in very large flocks. Ten or a dozen may now and then be 
seen together ; but for the most part they make their passage in small straggling parties. I have frequently 
noticed as many as fifty or sixty in view at the same time from the deck of the steamboat, though perhaps not 
more than three or four would be keeping company. Two Grey Crows and a Jackdaw, which had followed us 
one day in a thick fog for a considerable distance, at last settled on one of the paddle-boxes. A shot or two 
which I fired at some Gannets at first greatly alarmed them, and one of the Crows beat a speedy retreat ; it 
soon, however, returned ; and after a time they got used to the noise of the shooting and the shouts of the 
men who were fishing, and stalked gravely about on the bridge, evidently taking particular notice of what 
was going on. Towards dusk the wind freshened, and the pitching and rolling of the steamboat appeared to 
disagree with them, as, after looking very miserable for some time in their vain attempts to keep their footing 
m spite of the combined effects of wind and sleet, together with the constant breaking of the spray, they at 
last took a reluctant farewell, flying slowly against a head wind towards the land. 
Jrom what I have observed in the North Sea, I should be of opinion that some of the larger migratory 
birds (such as Books, Crows, and Jackdaws) arc by no means so weathenvise as their smaller feathered 
relatives. I find the following entry in my notes for 1872, under date of October 10, at which time I was 
cruising in the North Sea for the express purpose of watching the migration : — 
“ lfe72, 0ct - 10, 1 110t observe any small birds crossing, though I kept a constant look-out ; and we 
met with only a few straggling parties of Grey Crows and three or four small flocks of Books during the early 
part of the day. While steaming out, we passed several drowned Books and one or two Grey Crows floating 
on the water, about fifteen miles from the land. Soon after midday the weather came on thick and squally 
from the south-west; and towards night it blew strong, with drifting rain. The small birds had probably been 
aware of the rough weather approaching, and had not attempted to make their passage in face of it. Next 
day several of the more venturesome Books were washing about a few miles off the land. In the afternoon, 
while on the beach at Yarmouth, I noticed a small black-coloured bird swimming in the ltoads ; and having no 
glasses with me, I took it to be a Little Auk. Shortly after, the bird was picked up by a shore-boat, when my 
Little Auk turned out to be an unfortunate Jackdaw. A couple more (both dead) were floating at a short 
distance.” 
I he note of the Grey Crow is usually allowed to be a harsh and most unmclodious croak. The 
extraordinary sounds, however, that the species is capable of producing when excited ought to be heard in 
