LONG-BILLED CHOUGH. 589 



difficult to get within shot of it, unless in the places where it 

 breeds. Its flight is generally elevated, irregular, and per- 

 formed by moderately slow beats, occasionally varied by gambols 

 and evolutions of various kinds. 



According to Montagu, the nest, w^hich is placed in a rock 

 or cavern, sometimes in an old building, " is composed of 

 sticks, and lined with a great quantity of wool and hair ; the 

 eggs are generally five in number, of a dull w^hite, sprinkled 

 with light brown and ash-coloured spots, most at the larger 

 end." 



YouxG. — The young are said to have their first plumage 

 black, but without the gloss and purple tints of the adult birds. 

 The bill and feet are stated by M. Temminck to be at first 

 black, but Montagu affirms that they are red from the com- 

 mencement. I have not seen a bird in its first feathers, and 

 it does not appear that any recent British w^riter has had an 

 opportunity of deciding the question. 



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