40 BRITISH BIIWS" NESTS. 



Situation and Locality. — Eocks, cliffs, and trees. 

 An instance has been recorded of this bird's build- 

 ing on the roof of a crofter's hut. In Ireland, the 

 mainland of Scotland, and the islands to the west 

 and north. Our illustration was obtained on a 

 small rocky island near Oban. The young ones 

 were readj^ to fly, and indeed did so on being 

 disturbed. The day was very hot, and distressed 

 them until they all gasped like hard-run spaniels. 



Materials. — Sticks, twigs, heather, and ling, 

 with an inner lining of roots, moss, wool, hair or 

 feathers. 



Eggs. — Three to six ; generally five, grey-green 

 in ground colour, blotched and spotted with varying 

 shades of olive or greenish-brown. Variable both in 

 regard to size, shape, ground colour, and colour of 

 markings. Size about l"6o by 1'2 in. 



Time. — March, April, and May. 



JRemarl's. ■ — Resident, but subject to southern 

 movement in winter. Note, a hoarse croak. Local 

 and other names : Hoody, Dun Crow, Grey Crow, 

 Bunting Crow, Royston Crow, Greyback, Norway 

 Crow, Kentish Crow, Scarecrow. The bird is a 

 light sitter, and often interbreeds with the Carrion 

 Crow. 



CROW, ROYSTON. See Ceow, Hooded. 



CUCKOO. 



Description of Parent Birds. — Length about 

 fourteen inches. Bill rather short, slightly curved 

 downwards, and black, turning yellowish at the 

 base. Irides yellow. Head, nape, back, and upper 

 parts generally dark asli colour. Wing-quills dusky, 



