CROW. li.3 
noticed by tlie mischief it does to the fruit, cutting' it asunder with its 
well-constructed mandibles, in order to obtain the kernels. A native 
of those extensive pine forests in the neighbourhood of the Rhine, it 
makes excursions into various parts of Europe in search of change of 
food ; and though several instances are recorded of its visits to our 
island, I know but one mentioned of its having bred in England. A 
pair was brought to me very early in August, and the breast of the 
female being nearly bare of feathers, as is observed in sitting birds, it 
is very probable that she had a nest in the neighbourhood.”’ 
CROW (^CoTvus corone, Linn^us.) 
Corvus corone, Linn. Syst. 1. p. 155. 3. — Gmel. Syst. 1. p. 365. sp. 3. — Lath. Inch 
Oni. 1. 151. sp. 4. — Wils. Amer. Orn. 4. p. 79. pi. 35. f. 3. — Cornix, Raii, Syn. 
p. 39. A. 2. — Will. p. 83. — La corneille noir ou Corbine, Biif. Ois. 3. p. 45. 
t. 5. — lb. pi. Enl. 483. — Corneille Noir, I'emm. Man. d’Orn. 1. p. 108. — 
Krahen Rabe, Bech&t. Naturg. Dent. 2. p. 117. — Meyer, Tasschenb. Dent. 1. 
p. 94. — Carrion Crow, Br. Zool. l.No. 75. t. 34. — Arct. Zool. 2. No. 135. — 
Leivins Br. Birds, 1. t. 34. — Whitens Hist. Selb. p. 97. — Will. (Angl.) p. 122. 
t. 18. — Lath. Syn. 1. p. 370. 3. — Pult. Cat. Dorset, p. 4. — Mont. Orn. Diet. — - 
Ib. Supp. — Bewick's Br. Birds, 1. — Low's Faun. Oread. — Shaw's Zool. 7. p. 
345. — Selby, pi. 28. p. 69. 
Provincial. — Black Neb. Corby Crow. Flesh Crow. Gor Crow. 
Midden Crow.* 
This species weighs about nineteen ounces ; length eighteen inches ; 
bill black ; irides dusky. The vi^hole plumage black, glossed above 
with a purplish blue ; legs black. 
Distinguished from the rook by the bill, which is rather more con- 
vex towards the end, and the nares, or reflected bristles, at the base 
being always perfect ; but these are only obvious in adults. In young 
birds the note is the only criterion of distinction, which in this is much 
more hoarse than that of the rook. 
The Crow feeds on flesh, insects, and grain ; but is particularly fond 
of carrion. It frequently attacks the eyes of dying animals, and destroys 
weakly lambs ; it will also pursue birds on wing, when pressed by hun- 
ger. We once saw this bird in pursuit of a pigeon, at which it made 
several pounces, like a hawk ; but the pigeon escaped, by flying in at 
the door of a house. We have also seen it strike a pigeon dead from 
the top of a barn. It is a great destroyer of young game and poultry. 
It is a bold bird, always at war with the lesser species of hawks ; nor 
does the kite, the buzzard, or the raven, approach its nest without 
being attacked and driven away. At that season, even the peregrine 
falcon is insulted, who frequently at one pounce brings it to the ground. 
* Journal of a Naturalist. 
I 
