224 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



olive-brown. In some specimens the markings are very sparse ; 

 in others so thick as often to hide the ground-colour. A rare and 

 beautiful variety of the Raven's egg is sometimes obtained — 

 reddish-white in ground-colour, spotted with rich reddish-brown 

 and splashed with violet-grey. This type of egg closely resembles 

 certain varieties of those of the Moorhen, and also approaches very 

 closely in colour to the eggs of a South-African Crow, G. capensis. 

 In size and shape Ravens' eggs vary considerably, some specimens 

 being quite undistinguishable from eggs of the Carrion Crow. 

 They vary in length from 2"1 to 1'7 inch, and in breadth from 1*4 

 to 1'25 inch. 



THE CARRION CROW. 



(Corvus co rone). 



Plate 55, Figs. 10, 12. 



The Carrion Crow is still a fairly common bird in the wooded 

 districts and on the rocky coasts of England and Wales, the 

 Channel Islands, and Southern Scotland ; but in Central and 

 Northern Scotland it certainly is less common and more local 

 in its distribution. It is generally but locally distributed over 

 Europe. 



The site for the nest depends considerably on the nature of its 

 haunts. In hilly districts, and in the neighbourhood of the coast 

 its bulky nest is made in the rocks, usually in the least accessible 

 part. In the wooded districts it selects some tall tree for its pur- 

 pose, a large oak or pine being very often chosen. The nest is 

 made of large sticks, usually dead ones, stems of heather, masses 

 of turf, fine twigs, and roots, and lined with wool, moss, dead 

 leaves, fur, feathers, and any soft material the bird can find. In 

 shape it is rather flat ; and the interior is smooth and compact. 



The eggs are from three to six in number, usually five, and are 

 very similar to those of allied species. They vary from pale bluish- 

 green to clear green in ground-colour, spotted and blotched with 

 olive-brown of different shades, with violet-grey underlying spots. 

 They are subject to no small amount of variation. Some speci- 

 mens are so thickly spotted and blotched as to almost conceal the 

 ground-colour ; others are very sparingly marked. The eggs are 

 usually well marked ; but occasionally specimens are obtained 



