534 CORVUS CORxMX. 



purplisli-grey. They vary considerably in colour, as is the case 

 with the other species, and in a cabinet cannot be distinguished 

 from those of the Carrion Crow. The young are at first covered 

 with blackish-grey down. 



Young. — When fledged the young are black all over, except- 

 ing a broad band of dull grey, including the anterior half of the 

 body and the hind-neck. After leaving the nest they continue 

 several weeks together, and are led about and assisted by their 

 parents. In their progress toward maturity, the grey colour 

 becomes lighter and more extended, the black more glossy, and 

 with brighter reflections. 



Remarks. — On comparing specimens of the Hooded Crow 

 and Carrion Crow, I cannot discover any differences in the 

 form of the parts, or in the texture and outlines of the feathers 

 by which they can be distinguished. Nor is there any decided 

 difference in their size. Yet I am persuaded that the two 

 species are perfectly distinct, for we have large tracts of country, 

 the whole range of the Outer Hebrides for example, inhabited 

 by the Hooded Crow, without an individual of the other species 

 to be seen ; and in districts inhabited by both they always 

 keep separate, the Carrion Crow being moreover a much wilder 

 bird than the other. It is alleged by some writers that these 

 two species sometimes breed together, producing hybrids hav- 

 ing characters intermediate between the two. How such 

 hybrids could be recognised I am unable to conjecture ; for 

 the mere extent and tint of the grey-coloured space varies 

 greatly in the Hooded Crow. 



According to authors, this species occurs in all parts of 

 Europe, remaining stationary in the eastern and mountainous 

 districts, but, as M. Temminck alleges, appearing only in Sep- 

 tember and October in the western countries. In the whole of 

 Scotland it is stationary all the year, although many indivi- 

 duals may probably migrate southward ; but in most parts of 

 England it appears in October, chiefly along the coast, and 

 on the extensive maritime downs, and departs in March. 



