532 CORVUS CORNIX. 



southward. It is not confined to the coast, but is met with in 

 the very centre of the Grampians, and other inland districts ; 

 but in winter few individuals are found in the interior. Al- 

 though somewhat more social than the Carrion C-row or the 

 Raven, it is not gregarious, for although four or five indivi- 

 duals may often be seen together, more than that number 

 seldom convene unless when attracted by an abundant supply 

 of food. It derives its subsistence from carrion, dead fish, 

 crabs, echini, mollusca, larvae, grain, and other matters, it 

 being fully as promiscuous a feeder as the Carrion Crow or 

 the Raven, although it certainly prefers fish and mollusca to 

 large carcases, and very rarely feeds upon a stranded whale, 

 or even a domestic animal. Young lambs are favourite deli- 

 cacies, and in severe seasons, when summer in vain struggles 

 with winter, sometimes afford an abundant temporary supply. 

 I am not, however, inclined to believe that the Hooded Crow 

 often destroys these animals, nor that it ventures to attack 

 sickly sheep. It never disputes a prize with the raven, much 

 less the eagle, nor will it advance so near to a dog as the for- 

 mer of these birds, which it resembles in vigilance and cun- 

 ning, but without shewing equal boldness. 



Perhaps the most remarkable habit of the Hooded Crow is 

 one which most persons wdio have observed it consider as indi- 

 cative of the approach of rain, but which I have not found to 

 have any connection w^ith that phenomenon. In quiet, and 

 more especially in dull close weather, one of them, perched 

 on a stone or crag, continues to croak for a long time, being 

 responded to at intervals by another that has taken a station 

 at some distance. Its voice is not so loud or clear as that 

 of the Carrion Crow, but resolves itself into a rather harsh 

 sound resembling the syllable Cr««, pronounced by a genuine 

 Aberdonian. On ordinary occasions, its flight is peculiarly 

 sedate, being performed by regularly-timed slow beats ; but 

 when necessary, it can be greatly accelerated, although it never 

 equals in rapidity that of the Raven. It also walks in the same 

 staid manner as the Carrion Crow and the Rook, and in gene- 

 ral w^ears a grave aspect, demeaning itself so as if it were not 

 disposed to indulge in unbecoming levity. It rarely molests 

 other birds, nor is it often attacked by any. 



