Indian crows are black, like those of Europe, but much longer; their
head and neck, as far as the beginning of the wings, are bald, smooth,
quite destitute of feathers, but full of wrinkles. These birds subsist
on the carcasses and entrails of slain beasts. Whenever oxen are killed
in the open plain, as usual there, they perch upon trees or roofs of
houses, presently rush down upon the intestines, and one taking each
end, carry them through the air like a long rope. Their king is clothed
with extremely white feathers, and though very seldom seen, flies
accompanied by the other crows, as by satellites. As birds of one
feather flock together, the Abipones, who live on rapine, bring up the
young of these rapacious crows at home, as they become wonderfully tame:
for they accompany their masters when they ride out to hunt or enjoy the
country, partake their fare, and return when they return, but sometimes
suffer themselves to be enticed away by flocks of crows which they meet
on the road. Crows' feathers are generally chosen for arrows by the
savages, on account of their strength.