See CORVUS, ORNITHOLOGY Index.

Mechanics, a kind of iron lever, with a claw at one end and a sharp point at the other; used for heaving or purchasing great weights.

Crow's Bill, among surgeons, a kind of forceps for drawing bullets and other foreign bodies out of wounds.

Crow's Feet, in the military art, machines of iron, having four points, each about three or four inches long, so made that, whatever way they fall, there is still a point up; they are thrown upon breaches, or in places where the enemy's cavalry are to march, proving very troublesome, by running into the horses' feet, and laming them.

Crow's Foot, on shipboard, a complication of small cords spreading out from a long block, like the smaller parts which extend from the backbone of a herring. It is used to suspend the canvings; or to keep the topsails from striking violently, and fretting against the tops.

Crow-Net, is an invention for catching wild-fowl in the winter season, and may be used in the day time. The net is made of double thread, or fine packthread; the meshes should be two inches wide, the length about ten yards, and the depth three; it must be verged on the side with good strong cord, and stretched out very stiff on long poles prepared for that purpose. When you are come to the place where you would spread your net, open it, and lay it out at its full length, and breadth; then fasten the lower end of the net all along the ground, so as only to move it up and down; the upper end of the net must stand extended on the long cord; the further end thereof being staked first to the earth by a strong cord about five yards distant from the net. Place this cord in an even line with the lower edge of the net. The other end must be at least 25 yards distant to reach into some natural or artificial shelter, by the means of which you may lie concealed from the fowl, otherwise no good success can be expected. The net must be placed in such exact order that it might give way to play on the fowl on the least pull of the cord, which must be done instantly, lest the fowl should prove too quick for you. This net may be used for pigeons, crows, or other birds, on corn-fields newly sown; as also in stubble-fields, provided the stubble conceals the net from the birds.