94 HILL BIRDS OF SCOTLAND 



although suitable rocks arc not wanting in the central - 

 lying deer forests. On the Hebridean Islands, where 

 the Hoodie nests on islets so remote that he rarely sees 

 the face of man, the eggs are laid sometimes amongst 

 the heather. Though the Hoodie is an early nester, the 

 eggs are nearly a month later in appearing on the 

 scene than those of the Rook. On an average, April 

 10th is the date on which the mother bird com- 

 mences to brood in the more sheltered glens, but in 

 exposed situations it is a week or even a fortnight later 

 before the last egg is laid. In number the eggs are from 

 four to six. In ground colour, as in markings, they closely 

 resemble those of the Rook, but are rather larger in size. 

 An average type of egg has a ground colour of pale bluish 

 green, on which are set markings — blotches or spots — 

 of greenish brown or pale purplish grey. The hollow in 

 which they repose is a very deep one — so deep, in fact, 

 that it is extremely difficult to see into the nest from above. 

 Like the Raven, the Grey Crow constructs the foundations 

 of her nest of partially-burnt heather twigs, while towards 

 the centre the structure is lined with wool and deer's hair. 

 A favourite nesting site is a narrow and rocky glen with a 

 hill burn running through it. Here the Hoodies construct 

 their nests in the stunted birches which fringe the banks 

 of the stream, but, unlike their relatives the Rooks, they 

 are not gregarious, and one pair of birds will not allow a 

 second to approach too near to their nesting site. One 

 little glen I know of where the Grey Crow seems to escape 

 its enemies. In the main strath a big loch catches the rays 

 of the spring sun, or is tossed with the winds which sweep 

 up from the north. But in the small glen quietness is 

 always. The birches here are late in putting forth their 

 buds of tender green, buds which throw out over the hill- 

 side a sweet aroma, especially after the mist has filled the 

 corrie or a shower of soft rain has stolen quietly down from 



