40 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



Situation and Locality. Kocks, cliffs, and trees. 

 An instance lias been recorded of this bird's build- 

 ing on the roof of a crofter's hut. In Ireland, the 

 mainland of Scotland, and the islands to the west 

 and north. Our illustration was obtained on a 

 small rocky island near Oban. The young ones 

 were ready to fly, and indeed did so on being 

 disturbed. The day was very hot, and distressed 

 them until they all gasped like hard-run spaniels. 

 Materials. - - Sticks, twigs, heather, and ling, 

 with an inner lining of roots, moss, wool, hair or 

 feathers. 



Eggs. Three to six ; generally five, grey-green 

 in ground colour, blotched and spotted with varying 

 shades of olive or greenish-brown. Variable both in 

 regard to size, shape, ground colour, and colour of 

 markings. Size about 1*65 by 1*2 in. 

 Time. March, April, and May. 

 Remarks. Eesident, but subject to southern 

 movement in winter. Note, a hoarse croak. Local 

 and other names : Hoody, Dun Crow, Grey Crow, 

 Bunting Crow, Eoyston Crow, Greyback, Norway 

 Crow, Kentish Crow, Scarecrow. The bird is a 

 light sitter, and often interbreeds with the Carrion 

 Crow. 



CROW, ROYSTON. See CROW, HOODED. 



CUCKOO. 



Description of Parent Birds. - - Length about 

 fourteen inches. Bill rather short, slightly curved 

 downwards, and black, turning yellowish at the 

 base. Irides yellow. Head, nape, back, and upper 

 parts generally dark ash colour. Wing-quills dusky, 



