One reader is confused why we say 'as the crow flies' as they don't, in fact, fly in a straight line...

Who coined the phrase 'as the crow flies'? What is the inventer of the first sat nav?

Every morning a large flock of crows, or rooks and jackdaws fly over the fields sqwawking and chattering and in the afternoon they come back. Not one of them goes in a straight line 'as the crow flies'.

Some fly up high, others turn round and go back as if they have left something behind.

Loads of them cram into the tops of two ash trees while the others go round them.

They sit in the trees, never ceasing to babble. One says: 'Where did you go?' and the reply is: 'There and back to see how far it is'. As the crow flies. It will be bumble bees next.