: : : : 2)When Elrond's messengers went to find Radagast at Rhosgobel and he wasn't, where was he? Had he moved? Was he still on his way home from Eriador? Could he have been conversing with Gwaihir?

I think it's quite clearly implied that Radagast was unreliable, off doing his own thing when the good guys really needed him. Radagast basically abandoned his duty, although he didn't become outright evil, and was still good of heart.

: : : I can answer your first question. Gandalf told Radagast to use his influence w/ birds and such, including eagles, to gather as much news of the goings on of the enemy and have them bring the info. directly to Orthanc. It was probably luck or destiny that the bringer of the news was the eagle. Radagast did not know of Saruman's treachery as was brought out by Gandalf himself at the Council of Elrond.

: : So was Radagast responsible for all of those crows seen by the Fellowship in Hollin, or was that Saruman's doing alone, or did Radagast tell the crows to follow Saruman's orders?

: I don't believe so. Aragorn was fairly convinced they were from the enemy but I doubt he knew which enemy. My guess is that they were spying out the land for Sauron. Saruman's spys seem to have been made up of mostly men and orcs. Concerning the last battle at the end of the SA it is stated that even the animals chose up sides. I'm assuming these crow like birds still held to their allegiance w/ Sauron's forces.

Actually, I believe they are Saruman's spies. Why? Well, the crebain (crows) are from Dunland. This is the country that Saruman has basically anexed, the men of which have become his warriors (Helm's Deep), spies (Bree), and breeding fodder (for his Uruk-hai half orcs). It would make sense that Saruman would use them. (Of course, at this point, Sauron and Saruman are allied, and presumably sharing (some) knowledge.)

Cheers.

Dave C-Q