112 OUR RARER BIRDS 



repeatedly drop suddenly down amongst the rocks, apparently 

 in search of some particular kind of food. Every now and 

 then one or two birds would enter their nest-holes, or just as 

 frequently a pair would fly hurriedly out of them. Another 

 of these colonies of Choughs was situated on the very summit 

 of one of the highest mountains in a ridge of rocks commanding 

 a magnificent view of the forest-clad hills. As I rode up the 

 steep path the report of my gun, as I occasionally secured 

 some rare bird, frightened the Choughs from their nests, and 

 they commenced circling about in the air high overhead and 

 far beyond range, uttering their shrill cries, which resounded 

 through the woods and echoed again amongst the rocks. I 

 saw one or two of these birds alight now and then upon the 

 open spaces of herbage at the foot of the cliffs, and search 

 amongst dung for insects and beetles. I never saw the 

 Chough alight in the cedar trees, but always on the rock- 

 shelves or in the crevices where it makes its nest. The wild 

 notes of the Choughs were in beautiful harmony with the 

 srandeur of the scene as the birds fluttered amongst the clifl's, 

 or buffeted each other high up in the brilliant blue sky, or 

 sailed dreamily above the lofty mountain tops clothed to their 

 very summits with hoary cedar trees. 



The Chough, unlike most other birds of the Crow tribe 

 found in this country, is a rather late breeder, resembling the 

 Jackdaw in this respect. The Eaven begins patching up her 

 old nest before the wintery snows have departed ; the Magpie 

 and the Carrion Crow at the first dawn of spring ; but the 

 Chough waits until May before it begins the great duty of the 

 year. It may be seen in pairs throughout the year, so that 

 there can be little doubt that it is united to its partner for 

 life. The nesting-holes are generally selected in the most 

 inaccessible parts of the cliffs, and are often so deep that it is 

 quite impossible to reach the eggs. Sometimes they are in 

 parts of the cliff which overhang, and fall sheer down in a 



