CROWS AND ROOKS. 
191 
break through the hard shell of a cockle or mussel, to 
seize it in their bill, mount with it to a great height, and 
then let it fall on a hard rock, by which it is broken, and 
the bird has nothing more to do than to reap the fruits of 
its forethought. 
It is said that this species of Crow will pair with the 
common Crow, a proof how nearly allied the two species 
are; as it seems almost an established law of nature, one 
at least rarely infringed, that neither animals nor birds 
essentially differing, however near may be their apparent 
resemblance, will ever breed together. One great difference, 
besides the colour, which in the Hooded Crow is, as we 
have remarked, partly gray, is, that the latter is a regular 
migrating bird, — that is, going and coming at certain times 
of the year, to certain districts. But even in this respect the 
Carrion Crow has been known to resemble it in a slight 
degree ; it having been remarked by a naturalist, that in the 
parish in which he resided no Crows were seen for several 
months, and what became of them, or whither they went, he 
could never learn. 
The Crow, like the Baven, may be easily tamed, and 
converted into a very entertaining member of a family ; 
though, like the rest of the tribe, he is sure to carry off, 
to some secret store, whatever he can conveniently dis- 
pose of. He soon becomes quite familiar, and distinguishes, 
at a glance, a stranger from one of his friends ; and, even 
after a long absence, will recollect those from whom he has 
received kindness. A gentleman had reared one, and kept it 
for a long time, but at length it disappeared, and was sup- 
posed to have been killed ; when, to his great surprise, about 
a year afterwards, as he was walking out, a Crow, flying 
over his head, in company with others, left them, and, flying 
towards him, perched on his shoulder. He soon recognised 
the bird to be his lost favourite; but, though the Crow 
appeared very glad to see its old master, it seemed to have 
learned the value of liberty, and would not allow itself to be 
caught ; and at last, looking up after its companions, again 
took wing, and was never seen or heard of more. 
