158 PYRRHOCORAX PYRRHOCORAX 



with it only in the higher mountains of the Seniien district 

 of Abyssinia on the Amba-Ras, but ^Yas informed by the 

 natives that it inhabits the Gima and Kolo mountains and 

 frequents in large flocks the inaccessible cliffs at an eleva- 

 tion of 11,000 feet and upwards, where in the morning 

 and evening they become clamorous. With the dawn they 

 leave their roosting-quarters, and, with loud cries, wend their 

 way to the pasture-land to seek amongst the cattle for their 

 food, which consists of all kinds of insect life. They also 

 frequent the villages, where they have been seen nesting in 

 the thatched roofs of churches. Their harsh note was mostly 

 to be heard during their flight out and back from the feeding 

 to the roosting-quarters. 



The following notes I take from Mr. Dresser's " Birds of 

 Europe " : This species closely resembles our British Red- 

 billed Chough, but is more essentially an alpine bird frequenting 

 the most elevated portion of the mountains in the immediate 

 vicinity of glaciers and eternal snow. Its flight is swift, and 

 it frequently hovers or glides with outstretched wings in 

 circles, especially when descending from an altitude, or when 

 ascending. When it shifts its quarters from the high regions 

 for the valleys it is said to be a sure sign of snow or rain. 

 It feeds on all kinds of insects and seeds and is naturall}' a 

 shy bird ; in confinement, however, according to Bailly, it 

 becomes exceedingly tame and exhibits the greatest attach- 

 ment to its master. During the spring and summer they are 

 to be met with in pairs, or accompanied with their young, 

 but later in the season they assemble in flocks, which 

 frequently contain a very large number of individuals. About 

 the end of March or the commencement of April thej^ 

 take possession of their breeding-places, which, should they 

 not be disturbed, they use year after year in succession ; and 

 about the middle of April or early in May, according to the 



