256 CORVID^. 



present considered its northern limit, though there are many 

 spots that it still frequents, there is no other in which they 

 have not greatly diminished, while from some of the Hebrides 

 and adjacent parts of the mainland it has disappeared as 

 entirely as from the Scottish localities first mentioned. In 

 Pennant^ time it inhabited Sutherland, and in 1848 St. 

 John saw it there, but Mr. Harvie Brown has since failed to 

 find it. Much the same story is to be told of this bird in 

 Ireland. Though formerly, as Thompson states, inhabiting 

 precipitous rocks in various parts of that country, and among 

 them several inland localities, it would seem now to be found 

 only on the coast and islands, and almost everywhere in 

 reduced numbers. The dwindling away of the Chough 

 throughout the British Islands is undeniable, and specula- 

 tions have been hazarded to account for the fact. As none 

 of them seem based on sufficient observation they need no 

 further notice here. It has been often remarked, however, that 

 where the Chough grows rare or becomes extinct the Daw 

 appears or increases in numbers, though whether the latter 

 expels as well as replaces the former is not yet established. 



This bird feeds on insects, crustaceans and berries, occa- 

 sionally on grain and even, it is said, on carrion. It seeks 

 its sustenance along the shore, on the cliffs and in the 

 adjacent fields, sometimes following the plough to obtain the 

 grubs that may be thereby exposed. The nest is placed in a 

 cleft or other hole among high rocks and stones, or in ruined 

 buildings. It is generally hidden, at some distance from the 

 opening, and is built of sticks with a lining of wool or hair. 

 The eggs, four or five in number, are of a french-white, 

 sometimes tinged with yellow, freckled, spotted, streaked 

 or blotched with several shades of ash-grey and light brown, 

 and measure from 1-63 to 1'33 by from 1*14 to 1 in. Its 

 cry is somewhat like that of the Daw, but from its more 

 musical and ringing tone is easily recognized. Its flight 

 much resembles that of a Rook, and the pinions when 

 extended shew the ends of the primaries distinctly apart. It 

 takes wing or alights with ease ; and, from its comparatively 

 long legs, its appearance when perched on a projecting stone, 



