36 BRITISH BIRDS 



THE CROSSBILL. .SV. Grosbeak {under Finchesi. 



THE CROWS. 



These form a well known group, adequately represented 

 in this country by the Chough, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 

 Jay, Magpie, Nutcracker, Raven, and Rook ; each of which 

 is treated under its own heading. 



The Carrion Crow. 



A bird which is sometimes confounded vs-ith the Raven, 

 but is a perfectly distinct species, -with several peculiar 

 characteristics. It is, however, a miniature Raven, and chiefly 

 differs from its congener in size. It measures about 

 1 8 inches in length, and is of much rarer occurrence 

 than was the case a few years since. It is of rather 

 soHtary habits, living in pairs, which build a big nest of 

 sticks in the top of the highest tree they can find. The 

 young are as easy to rear as those of the Raven, and the 

 bird itself is quite as amusing and interesting as the latter. 



It is now generally conceded that the Hooded Crow is 

 merely a variety of the one under consideration, for the 

 two birds occasionally interbreed, and the young resemble 

 one or other of the parents and are never blotched or 

 variegated. The fact that the two sorts are rarely found 

 together confirms the belief that the Carrion Crow is 

 dimorphous. 



The Hooded Crow. Sec Carrion Crow. 

 The Water Crow. S<e Dipper. 



THE CUCKOO. 



This is not a desirable bird to cage, though it can be 

 preserved for a year or two in confinement with great care 



