Hi Carl,

This is a very interesting behavior I have observed before as well,
not only in crows, but in Black-billed Magpies as well.
>From what I have heard this behavior serves as a social exchange of
information, whereby everyone becomes aware of a dead member in the
group's social hierarchy and can begin to adjust dominance
relationships accordingly.

Some corvid biologist would probably have a better answer, but either
way a very neat thing to observe! (though not for one of the crows,
unfortunately).

Good Birding,

Chris Tonra
Port Angeles
cm.tonra at gmail.com