98 HILL BIRDS OF SCOTLAND 



of the Grouse and Ptarmigan. Their flight is powerful, 

 but is not so steady as that of the Raven. In soaring, too, 

 they are greatly inferior to the latter bird — in fact, it may 

 be said with some truth that a Hoodie cannot soar. Even 

 when descending from a height and moving through the 

 air at a great speed, the wings are occasionally flapped, as 

 much, I think, with the object of steadying the bird as 

 of accelerating its progress. 



During the months of winter many Hoodies are to be 

 seen along our coasts. A storm is welcome to them, for 

 they feed greedily on any refuse thrown up by the waves. 

 I have seen one for some time working assiduously in the 

 endeavour to open a mussel, and, as is usually the case, 

 perseverance was at length rewarded, and the prize laid 

 bare and swallowed. In the Shetlands so many sea 

 urchins are devoured by the Hoodies that the name 

 Cragan feannaige — the cups of the Grey Crow — has been 

 given to these sea creatures. Should the Hoodie have 

 discovered a delicacy, and a Raven appears on the scene, 

 the Grey Crow immediately makes way for his rival, nor 

 will he, as the Raven, advance to meet a dog. 



There is one characteristic of the Hoodie of sufficient 

 interest to be put on record — it is his peculiar conduct 

 when the rain is approaching. A Hoodie, perched on a 

 tree-top or on a rock, commences to utter his croak at 

 regular intervals, and is responded to by another of his 

 tribe in the distance. Whether he is discussing the ap- 

 proaching storm, or whether he is merely unconsciously 

 influenced, it is, I believe, true that rain may confidently 

 be expected after suqh behaviour. The note of the Hoodie 

 is difficult, as indeed are the notes of most birds, to put in 

 writing, but it somewhat resembles the words, ceraa, cerda. 



In Shetland an event, known as the " Craas' court," 

 occurs in spring. A large flock of Hoodies appear from all 

 directions. Apparently the court is held for the purpose 



