Originally Posted By: morphememedley
A launched crow, even one not intending to rook a ship's officers and crew but simply flying as the crow flies, might lead a ship's navigators onto a reef, a shoal, rocks, or wreckage, so eagle-eyed lookouts, and telescopes when available, were greatly valued even on well crow-stocked ships.



Assuming the story about the origin of the term crow's nest is correct. I have my doubts. It sounds like a folk etymology to me.