222 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



downward towards the tip, stout, and black. Irides 

 brown and grey. At tlie base of the beak are a 

 number of coarse hah-s pomting forward. The 

 phimage is a uniform black, glossed with a purple 

 and blue sheen. Legs, toes, and claws black. 



The female is a little smaller, and less glossed. 



Situation and Localitij.— In crevices and on 

 ledges of high inaccessible cliffs, either on the sea- 

 shore or inland. Our illustration is from a photo- 

 graph taken in Mull. The nest was in an exceed- 

 ingly difficult situation to photograph or approach 

 in any way, and consequently does not show up 

 ver}^ clearly in the picture : it is two and five- 

 eighth inches from the bottom, and one and three- 

 quarter inches from the right-hand side of the 

 picture. The bird sometimes nests in tall trees, 

 and is to be found in the wild unfrequented parts 

 of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. 



Materials. — Sticks of various sizes (I have seen 

 them made entirely of juniper), wool, and hair. 



Eggs. — Five to seven ; greyish-green, bluish- 

 green, or greenish-brown, blotched, splashed, and 

 spotted with dark greenish or smoky brown, and 

 underljdng markings of a lighter greyish-purple 

 tinge. Variable both in regard to coloration and 

 size, but generally distinguishable from those of 

 the Carrion Crow and Eook by their larger size. 

 Average measurement about 1-95 by 1'3 in. 



Time. — February, March, and April. 



Hemarlxs. — Resident. Note, a deep hoarse cronl-, 

 that may be heard at great distances. Local and 

 other names : Corbie, Corbie Crow, Great Corbie 

 Crow. Sits lightly. 



