Possible Clues:

• Black enough to be goin' mad, by the sound of it
• Go mad over new bird
• A large crow . . .
• Bird welcome in the navy
• Passerine bird
• Hungrily devour a flesh-eating bird
• Head off yellow bird
• Sailors holding girl up to see bird
• Poe called it 'grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous'
• Guardian of Tower opposed in rear approach