"Eating crow" is an English (maybe only American?) expression of humility in the face of having made a mistake. I heard that it came about in an exchange between British and American soldiers during a cease fire in the War of 1812. A British prisoner complained to the American soldier guarding him that he was hungry. The Yank shot a crow 100 yards away and told the Brit he could eat that. The Brit started to, but at the same time he admired the Yank's marksmanship and asked to see the gun. When the Yank complied, the Brit turned the gun on him and forced him to eat the crow. Half way through it, the Yank feigned liking it and offered the Brit a taste. When the Brit tried it, the Yank grabbed the gun back and forced the Brit to eat the rest!
Now, using the reference of eating (or tasting) crow implies the distastful result of making a public mistake.
"Venditori de oleum-vipera non vigere excordis populi"