BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



reddish-brown and pale brown. Average size about 

 .9 by .67 in. (See Plate II.) 



Time. February, March, and April; sometimes 

 as late even as July. Continental authorities say 

 from December to April. 



Remarks. A winter visitor, but a few pairs 

 stay to breed. Notes : call, chip-chip-chip, or jip- 

 jip. Other notes used whilst flying from tree to 

 tree, soc-soc-soc. Local and other names : Common 

 Crossbill, Shell Apple, European Crossbill. A very 

 close sitter. 



CROW, CARRION. 



(Corvus corone.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family CORVID^; (CROWS). 



Description of Parent 

 Birds. Length about 

 eighteen inches. Bill fairly 

 long, strong, and black. 

 The base of the beak is 

 covered with bristles, which 

 stand forward. These bris- 

 tles and its hoarser note 

 distinguish it from the 

 rook. Irides dusky. The 

 whole of the plumage is 

 black, glossed above with 

 a lustrous greenish sheen. 

 Legs, toes, and claws black. 



The female is about the same size, but lacks a little 

 of the metallic lustre which characterises the male. 



Situation and Locality. In high trees, gener- 

 ally on a large branch near the bole, and at a good 

 height from the ground, on the outskirts of woods 



CARRION CROW'S NEST 

 AND EGGS. 



