HOODED CROW AND CUCKOO 31 



Plumage. — Black with green and violet reflections; the lower part 

 of the beak is covered with bristly feathers; iris dark hazeL 

 Length. — Nineteen inches. 



CROW, HOODED {Corvus comix) 



Local Names. — Bunting Crow, Corbie Crake, Corbie Crow, Denchman, 

 Denmark Crow, Dun Crow, Grey-Backed Crow, Grey Crow, 

 Heedy Royston, Hoodie Crow, Kentish Crow, Kentishman, 

 Market-Jew Crow, Norway Crow, Royston Crow, Saddle- 

 Backed Crow, Scale Crow, Scare Crow, Scremerston Crow. 



Haunt. — Woods, rocky cliffs, and the seashore. 



Nesting Period. — March to May. 



Site of Nest. — Tall and low trees and bushes, and on cliffs. 



Materials Used. — Same as Carrion Crow. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Very similar in both size and colour to those 

 of the last named. 



Food. — Similar to that of the Carrion Crow, together with shellfish 

 and refuse. I have known it to attack a captive rabbit. 



Voice. — Resembles that of the species last recorded. 



Chief Features. — Not so solitary in disposition as the Carrion Crow — 

 of which species some ornithologists consider the Hooded to 

 be only a variety — but to be distinguished by the partly grey 

 plumage. Often to be seen on seashore feeding on animal 

 refuse, and makes short work of any dead creatures there found. 



Plumage. — Head, throat, tail, and wings black; remainder of 

 plumage ash or smoky -grey; iris brown. Length. — Nineteen 

 and a half inches. 



CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus) 



Local Names. — Cog, Geek, Gowk, Grey Cuckoo, Tittling. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, fields, lanes, large gardens, etc. 



Nesting Period. — The egg is laid during May. 



Site of Nest. — See under. 



Materials Used. — None. As is well known, this bird does not build 

 a nest of its own, but deposits its egg in the nest of another 

 bird. The favourite foster parents appear to be the Hedge 

 Sparrow, Robin, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit (in Scotland), 

 Chaffinch, and Sedge and Reed Warblers. The egg has been 

 found in the nests of over one hundred different species. 



Eggs. — It is uncertain how many eggs one female lays during a 

 season. The egg varies in colour, and in some instances 

 harmonises with those among which it is placed, at others it is 

 quite distinct. Some varieties resemble those of the House 



