H9 6 



THE PERCHING BIRDS 



reddish tinge, upon which are large blotches of brownish red or light chestnut brown. 

 It is noteworthy that although these birds seem always to thrive in captivity, yet 

 their vocal powers in that state vary considerably, some specimens pouring forth the 

 full song, while others sing only in a subdued undertone. 



The two species of the genus Graculus, while resembling the true 

 crows in form and coloration, differ in possessing long and pointed 

 wings, as well as in the comparatively-slender beak. Unlike other crows, they have 

 a smooth metatarsus, and the feet and beak brightly colored. Of the two species, 



The Choughs 



BLACK- BACKED PIPING CROW. 



(Three-tenths natural size.) 



the common or red-billed chough (G. graculus} ranges from Eastern Europe to 

 China and Eastern Siberia, being no less at home in the deserts of L,adakh than on 

 the cliffs of the English coast. Formerly this species was a comparatively-common 

 bird on the western coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, nor was it entirely a coast- 

 loving one, since individual pairs nested in the recesses of limestone precipices 

 inland, such as Whitbarrow Scaur in Westmoreland. The chough has, however, 

 latterly decreased in numbers in most of its strongholds, partly owing to human 

 interference; although there is some reason to suppose that its extermination may 

 be partially accounted for by the special predilection of the peregrine falcon for its 

 flesh. The chough nests in the spring of the year, breeding principally among the 



