Gorcrows

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Gorcrows were a legendary species of birds, only mentioned in passing in Hobbit verse. These foul crows, who croak in their sleep, are said to have lived in the same damp marshes as the fearsome Mewlips.[1]

Etymology

Gorcrow, "gore crow", is an old English name for carrion crow.[2]

Portrayal in adaptations

Middle-earth Role Playing:

Gorcrows are said to have 4 ft. wingspan and to be smaller cousins of the crebain.[3] The northern gorgrow, living in Forodwaith, is described as a larger version of the common gorgrow. The Lossoth are said to regard the norhern gorcrows as birds of ill-omen.[4]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, "The Mewlips"
  2. Patrick J. Cassidy, ed. (1913), Webster Dictionary
  3. Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012)
  4. Randy Maxwell (1997), The Northern Waste (#2025)