204 SYNOPSIS AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 
Wary (like all the crows), but if taken young will be- 
come quite tame, and can be taught to imitate sounds, 
They are very hardy in confinement. Fond of stealing 
and concealing bright objects, as silver spoons, forks, 
etc. Will also rob other birds’ eggs. They live in 
communities (like the rooks), but sometimes a pair may 
be found alone. Their daily behaviour is much like 
the rook’s (which see) and starling’s, searching from 
daybreak to nightfall for food in fields, etc. Fond of 
chasing each other in the air. The inquisitive side 
pose of the head is characteristic. Sheep tolerate 
them on their backs (like starlings), as they look for 
parasites there. Length: 14 inches (about). Note: 
See above. Food: Eats anything, even.to carrion 
sometimes; they are useful scavengers, but eat mostly 
grain, insects, grubs, etc., and soft shell fish on the sea 
coast. Males and females: Alike. Nest: About the 
middle of May. Situated: See above. Sometimes . 
also low, in rabbit burrows. Made of : A motley mass 
of sticks, often piled up several feet, with some dried 
grass, Straw, etc. ; anda few feathers and bits of wool 
on the top to receive the eggs. Second nests : Some- 
times. Eggs: Bluish-white, or pale greenish-blue, with 
dark brown and purple spots. Four to six. 
