216 PASSERES. CORVID^. 



pounce down upon the other : this was principally 

 but not solely, the manner of the Buzzard, the 

 Crow usually striking his blow, and then retreating 

 obliquely. After some time a second Hawk ap- 

 proached, which was attacked by another Crow ; 

 and now the melee went on in the same manner 

 between the four combatants. The conflict lasted 

 near ten minutes, and at length terminated in favour 

 of the Crows, who fairly drove their opponents off 

 the aerial field, pursuing them with pertinacity to 

 a great distance. At the moment of my writing 

 down this account, it was in a measure confirmed 

 by my actually observing a Jabbering Crow pur- 

 suing with insult a Buzzard over the woods: it 

 was strange to see, that after he had returned 

 from the pursuit, he himself was attacked by a 

 little Petchary, to whose superior prowess he was 

 fain to yield, and flee in his turn. 



In the latter part of May and early in June, 

 which I presume to be the season of incubation, 

 the singular chattering is almost relinquished for 

 a much more monotonous cawing, somewhat like 

 the note of the Rook, but uttered more pertina- 

 ciously, and more impatiently, 



Robinson states that " they build their nest with 

 slender twigs in the manner of Rooks on the tops 

 of lofty trees, but not more than two nests on one 

 tree. When they have young they will suffer 

 nobody to take them, assaulting the bold invader 

 with great courage and much clamour, fiercely 

 buffeting his face with their wings, at the same 

 time endeavouring to pluck out his eyes with their 



