[2931] Cuvier remarks, that this is not a very good reason; but we have not yet been able to find a better.
[2932] Cuvier denies this story, but says, that when the foster-mother is a very small bird, the young cuckoo will take the whole of her head in his beak when receiving food.
[2933] “Curse on your ill-betiding croak.” See “The Farmer’s Wife and the Raven,” in Gay’s Fables.
[2934] Aristotle says, that it was never to be seen in the Acropolis or Citadel of Athens.
[2935] Only the case with the large raven, or Corvus corax of Linnæus, the others living in flocks.
[2936] Doé says, that this is incorrect; the beak of the raven not being of a similar form to that of the pigeon.
[2937] Or else, “The Median guests.” It is not known to what he alludes. Alexander ab Alexandro says, that both Alexander the Great and Cicero were warned of their deaths by the raven.
[2938] “Noctua, bubo, ulula.” It is very doubtful what birds are meant by these names. Cuvier has been at some pains to identify them, and concludes that the noctua, or glaux of Aristotle, is the Strix brachyotas of Linnæus, the “short-eared screech-owl;” the bubo, the Strix bubo of Linnæus, and the ulula, the Strix aluco of Linnæus; our madgehowlet, grey or brown owl.
[2939] Seventh of March. The year of their consulship is not known.
[2940] Cuvier suggests, that it may be the coracias of Aristotle, our jackdaw probably, the Corvus graculus of Linnæus. It has been said, that in its admiration of shining objects, it will take up a burning coal; a trick which has before now caused conflagrations. Servius speaks of it as frequenting funeral piles.