At this season, in the early summer, he may be easily distinguished, when flying, from his relation the rook.

When on the prowl the crow glides smoothly and rapidly through the air, often changing his direction, now flying close to the surface, anon mounting high, but oftenest keeping nearly on a level with the tree tops.

His gliding and curving motions are somewhat like those of the herring-gull, but the wings in gliding are carried stiff and straight, the tips of the long flight-feathers showing a slight upward curve.

But the greatest difference is in the way the head is carried.

The rook, like the heron and stork, carries his beak pointing lance-like straight before him.