6 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



of Scotland it has been known to interbreed with the 

 Carrion Crow, as it habitually does in the valleys of the 

 Elbe and the Yenesay. 



Breeding habits : I am of opinion that the Hooded 

 Crow pairs for life, and frequents certain nesting-sites 

 annually wherever it is allowed to remain undisturbed. 

 It is rather a late breeder (although eggs of this species 

 have been recorded exceptionally as early as the middle 

 of March). The Hooded Crow readily adapts itself to 

 circumstances, so far as a nesting-place is concerned. 

 Where trees are scarce it will build on rocks or sea-cliffs, 

 amongst tall ling on the hillsides, or even on the roof of 

 the crofter's hut, as w^as remarked by Gray. The greater 

 number of nests of this species in our islands are pro- 

 bably built on rocks ; but in Siberia, where rocks are 

 scarce and trees plentiful, the latter are most frequently 

 used. Many nests arc sometimes built near together, 

 but the Hooded Crow is nothing near so sociable in this 

 respect as the Rook or the Jackdaw. The materials of 

 the nest do not differ from those employed by allied 

 species. Sticks, twigs, the branches of ling and even 

 bones are used to form the outer structure, which is well 

 and warmly lined with moss, wool, hair, fur, feathers, 

 and such-like soft material. Although by no means 

 shy, Hooded Crows are wary enough at the nest, and 

 seem to divine by inspiration whether an intruder 

 can work them harm ; being careful to keep out of 

 gunshot. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Hooded Crow are from three to six in 

 number, five being an average clutch. They are green, 

 of various shades in ground colour, more or less boldly 

 spotted and blotched with surface markings of olive- 

 brown, and underlying markings of paler brown and 

 gray. They vary considerably in size and shape, an 



