Colophon

The animal on the cover of Real World Instrumentation with Python is a hooded crow (Corvus cornix). Known also as a Scotch crow, a Danish crow, a Grey crow, and a Corbie, the bird enjoys a wide distribution across Europe and the Middle East. Because the hooded crow is so similar to the common carrion crow, the two were previously considered to be of the same species. As of 2002, however, Brân Lwyd (as it is known in Welsh) has enjoyed full species status, and has four recognized subspecies.

The hooded crow’s plumage is mostly ash gray, though it sports glossy black feathers on its wings, tail, and especially on its head and throat, giving the appearance of the hood for which the animal is named. When full grown, the birds average a wingspan of 98 cm, and can measure from 48 to 52 cm in length. Like the carrion crow with which it is closely associated, the hooded crow is an omnivorous scavenger. It is known for stealing eggs from the nests of other bird species, and in costal regions will drop mollusks and crabs from a height in order to break them open.

The image of a hooded crow holds special significance in traditional Celtic folklore, and it is associated with fairies in the Scottish highlands and in Ireland. During the 18th century, Scottish shepherds were known to make offerings to the animals to prevent them from attacking their sheep. Elsewhere, a maiden on the Faroe Islands of Denmark would watch the flight of the hooded crow on the morning of Candlemas to determine the provenance of her future husband.

The cover image is from Johnson’s Natural History. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont’s TheSansMonoCondensed.