456 THE HOODED CROW. 



sometimes pair with rooks — although the old rook is easily 

 known from the crow by the base of its bill being bare. Mac- 

 gillivray says he was " less acquainted with the habits of the 

 carrion crow than any other British species." Strange, such a 

 voluminous author should have missed this well-known bird. 

 The male is 23 inches long, and 41 J in extent of wing ; female, 

 two inches less — being the reverse of the Raptores, in which the 

 females are the largest. Like the raven, it is said to live 100 

 years — proof that Nature wishes to prolong the species, no 

 matter what mock philanthropists may say. The next species 

 is 



The Hooded Crow. 



Corvus Comix. (Linn.) 



" Lay hands on him ; a dog ! 

 A leg of Rome shall not return to tell 

 What crows have peck'd them here." — Cymbcline. 



This crow is so like the last in form and habits (though not 

 colour) as to be at one time considered the female carrion crow. 

 It is a little less, builds on trees and rocks, nest the same, and 

 lays five eggs — pale-bluish green, spotted and blotched with 

 dark brown. Though found in the centre of Scotland, it prefers 

 the sea coast, hence its nest is often on cliffs. It is abundant in 

 Norway, and migrates to us in winter. It is more rare than the 

 last here. " On May 16th, 1858, when going through Bonny- 

 town Strip, near Stravithy Wood, I saw two hoodies and two 

 carrion crows walking amongst the young corn. After search- 

 ing I saw a nest on the top of a high Scotch fir, about 50 feet 

 up, almost hid by the branches. On climbing up, the old crows 

 hovered above the tree, loudly croaking. There were five young 

 ones, and, to my surprise, young hoodies, well feathered, but 

 not ripe. The largest was grey on the back and breast, nearly as 

 well marked as the adult. The next was black like a carrion 

 crow. The other three not so well feathered, black on the 

 back, the grey beginning on the breast. I brought the two 

 largest home, and left the rest. The nest was newly built, 

 deep, and well lined with wool. They clung so tenaciously 

 with their claws to my hand that I had difficulty in pulling 

 them away. The legs and claws were nearly as large as the old 



