CARRION CROW. 241 



Ridings, the moorland districts where cliffs or precipitous 

 mountain sides afford suitable nesting situations, and in the 

 vicinity of large and secluded woods, it manages to survive, 

 though its numbers have decreased, especially in the Wold 

 district of the East Riding, but even in that division a few 

 pairs build in isolated spinneys and trees in hedgerows, and 

 one or two pairs nest annually on the high cliffs of Flamborough 

 and Bempton. Owing to its predatory habits, inimical to 

 the interests of game-preservers and poulty farmers, the Crow 

 leads a precarious existence, being proscribed and persecuted 

 without mercy by gamekeepers, who destroy the old birds, 

 young, or eggs whenever an opportunity occurs. As illus- 

 trating the varied character of its menu, the particulars of 

 a Crow's larder in Ribblesdale may be described : it contained 

 remains of eggs of Partridge, Snipe, Lapwing, Sparrowhawk, 

 Blackbird, Thrush, and domestic fowl, in addition to 

 several rabbits' skulls. There is therefore no wonder that 

 the bird is on the keeper's " Black List," and on the 

 high moors it is a perfect pest to the shepherds in 

 lambing time. 



As an immigrant it is known at the light stations on the 

 coast in autumn, coming in with Hooded Crows and Rooks, 

 and occasionally in separate flocks, although it is not always 

 possible to determine if this species is meant when entries 

 referring to " Black Crows " occur in the Migration Reports, 

 and, as a rule, but few are noted at the stations north of Spurn 

 and Flamborough. One was killed at the latter place coming 

 in off the sea, on 2nd October 1894, with a piece of board 

 tied round its neck, 4in. by i|in., bearing an inscription, 

 " Leading Star. O.R.," indicating that the bird had been 

 caught on some vessel at sea, and set at liberty with the 

 message fastened to it {Nat. 1894, p. 326). 



In winter both Carrion and Hooded Crows assemble on the 

 Humber flats to feed on shell-fish and garbage cast up on the 

 beach, and not only do they consort together at that season, 

 but an instance is known of the two races inter-breeding 

 at Scarborough, where a Carrion Crow mated with a female 

 Hoodie ; the male was shot, and next year the Hoodie brought 



VOL. I. R 



