THE GREY OR HOODED CROW 



CORVUS CORN IX 

 Fbannaige, Feannag-ghlas (Gaelic); Cobneille Mantel6b {French). 



Had the Grey Crow the power to reason out the affairs 

 of this world, there is no doubt but that he would find him- 

 self the most confirmed of pessimists. But, happily for 

 him, his nature is philosophical, stoical, and though every 

 man's hand is turned against him, he yet has the power to 

 extract some considerable enjoyment out of his chequered 

 career. The Hoodie may be likened to a " black lister," 

 an outcast to society. Wherever grouse-preserving is 

 attempted — that is, throughout almost the whole of 

 Scotland — the Grey Crow can hold his own only by the 

 exercise of stealth and cunning. If he attempts to nest 

 amongst one of those isolated clusters of fragrant -smelling 

 birches near the head of a glen where, one would think, 

 he would be left in peace and quiet — for he has miles be- 

 tween him and the nearest habitation — ^the zealous keeper 

 is soon on the scene. He knows from past experience 

 that the Hoodie is wont to resort to this little wood, and 

 it is his business to make matters as unpleasant for Corvus 

 comix as it is possible to make them. The mother Grey 

 Crow has in all probability had unpleasant experiences 

 of the Highland keeper in former years, and so, as she covers 

 her eggs, she constantly scans the glen on every side, 

 slipping noiselessly from her nest while her enemy is still 

 a considerable distance away. But the keeper is resolved 

 that she and her mate also shall pay toll for their misdeeds, 

 and if necessary he will lie concealed through the whole 



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