CORVID^. 



^ZZ 



THE CARRION-CROW. 



CoRvus coR()NE, Liimceus. 



In spite of the constant persecution which this species under- 

 goes from those interested in the preservation of game, it is still 

 fairly common in most of the wooded districts of England and 

 Wales; especially in the neighbourhood of low-lying coasts, estu- 

 aries, lakes, and somewhat sluggish rivers. Near London, where it 

 is comparatively unmolested, it is by no means rare, and a pair has 

 nested this year (1888) in one of the Parks. In the north of Eng- 

 land, especially \n the Lake district and on the Cheviots, it is 

 common; and in the south of Scotland and as far north as Perthshire, 

 it is abundant; beyond which, and in the west, the prevailing form 

 is the Hooded Crow : the two not unfrequently interbreeding. Its 

 asserted occurrence in the Orkneys and Shetlands requires confirma- 

 tion, but it is resident, though scarce, in Skye, and is said to stray to 

 the Outer Hebrides. In Ireland it is extremely rare, its place being 

 taken by the Hooded Crow. Considerable accessions to its numbers 

 take place on the east coast of Great Britain in autumn. 



Even to the southern portions of Scandinavia the Carrion-Crow 

 is a very irregular visitor, and its reported existence near Archangel 

 is open to question ; while in the interior of Russia it is decidedly 



