Gregory family: papers of James Gregory (1753 - 1821): Petition of the Old Crow residing in North Hanover Street, Edinburgh Petition of the Old Crow residing in North Hanover Street, Edinburgh, 28 December 1805. A spoof petition in which a crow which has resided amongst humans for 8 years requests an exemption from a law 'ordering birds and beasts of various descriptions to be confined to the house under pain of suffering death'. The petitioner alleges that the confinement is affecting his health and that he cannot return to his own tribe as, after 8 years, his habits have become too human. 28 December 1805