234 
CROWS AND ROOKS. 
It has been observed, that they are usually of soli- 
tary habits, seldom associating in greater numbers 
than pairs ; hut this rule has also its exceptions, and 
the following instances of the mysterious assemblages 
of birds may be justly classed amongst their most 
extraordinary instinctive habits. 
In the northern parts of Scotland, and in the 
Ferroe islands, extraordinary meetings of Crows are 
occasionally known to occur. They collect in great 
numbers, as if they had been all summoned for the 
occasion ; a few of the flock sit with drooping heads, 
and others seem as grave as judges, while others 
again, are exceedingly active and noisy; in the course 
of about an hour they disperse, and it is not uncom- 
mon, after they have flown away, to find one or two 
left dead on the spot. Another writer* says, that 
these meetings will sometimes continue for a day or 
two, before the object, whatever it may be, is com- 
pleted; Crows continue to arrive from all quarters 
during the session. As soon as they have all arrived, 
a very general noise ensues, and shortly after, the 
whole fall upon one or two individuals, and put them 
to death: when this execution has been performed, 
they quietly disperse. 
Another and nearly similar meeting was witnessed 
near Oggersheim, a small village on the banks of the 
Rhine; where, in a large meadow, every autumn, 
the Storks assemble, to hold (as the country people 
call it) a council, just before their annual migration. 
On one of these occasions, about fifty were observed, 
formed in a ring round one individual, whose appear- 
ance bespoke great alarm. One of the party then 
* Dr* Edmonston’s Shetland Isles . 
