CROW, Corms, a genus of birds, the type of the family corrid (q.v.). The largest species of this genus is the raven (q.v.). The rook (q.v.) also belongs to it. Besides these and the jackdaw (q.v.), there are two other species found in Britain, the COMMON CARRION C. (C. corone), and the Boys:rex C. or HoonED C. (C. cornix). They differ from one another chiefly in color, the carrion C. being black, the hooded C. gray, with black head, throat, wings, and tail. The hooded C. is also rather larger than the car rion C.. which, in size, nearly agrees with the rook, but which may readily be distin guished from that species by having the base of the bill and the upper part of the throat not naked and rough, but closely feathered. The name hooded C. is derived from the appearance of the black head, contrasted with the gray body, but in sonic parts of Scotland is, without any show of reason, popularly transferred to the carrion C., under the form heady. Both of these species have habits much more resembling those of the raven than of the rook; they seldom or never associate in flocks, and not only prefer carrion to worms, insects, or vegetable food, but watch and attack very weak animals, such as young lambs. On this account, a premium is in many places given for their destruction, and gamekeepers relentlessly pursue them on account of their robbing nests, from which they take either the eggs or the helpless young. Their own nests are built in trees, or if these are not to be found, among high rocks. They both occasion
ally frequent the sea-coast, feeding on shell-fish, etc. Both are widely distributed over Europe and the northern parts ()f Asia.—The C. of North America (C. Americanu8) is very similar to the carrion C., but rather smaller, and, after the breeding season is over, congregates into great flocks: it is also partially migratory, great numbers from the more northerly parts moving to the s. on the approach of winter. Its habits are other wise intermediate between those of the carrion C. and the rook.—The Emu C. (C. ossi fragu4) frequents the coasts and southern rivers of the United States, feeding chiefly on fish, which it catches with great dexterity. It also sometimes assails and com pels them to disgorge their prey.—The JABBERING C. (C. Jamaicensis)of the Blue moun tains of Jamaica is remarkable for the resemblance of its voice to human speech, which some of the other species of this genus, as the raven, it is well known, can be taught to imitate. Sir J. E. Tennent gives an interesting account of the small glossy C. of Cey lon (C. splendens), which frequents the towns, feeding on offal, and boldly entering rooms through open windows, to snatch some morsel from the dinner-table. Habits of pilfering are more or less prevalent among the different species of crow.—The RED LEGGED C. is the though (q.v.).—The name CARRION C. is given in America to the BLACK VULTURE. See VULTURE.—The Prrisa C. of New South Wales is a baritah (q. v. ).