CHOUGHS 75 



as if there were at work some baneful agency, 

 which carries off a large percentage of the young. 

 To cite one special instance, I may refer to a 

 certain district in Ireland where, out of quite sixty 

 nests annually, half a dozen at most are takeable, 

 even to an expert cragsman. There, moreover, 

 Jackdaws are notable for their absence ; while an 

 examination of the Peregrine's shambles shows that 

 few Choughs are snatched by those stately 

 marauders. Consequently, most broods should 

 reach maturity. Apparently, however, they do 

 not : the Chough scarce increases at all, and the 

 subject offers a wide and interesting field for 

 investigation. 



The haunt of the Chough is invariably a rocky 

 one, and maritime rather than mountain cliffs 

 unless the latter are in full view of the sea are 

 infinitely preferred in this country : the Chough 

 must now be sought amidst the desolate grandeur 

 and savage beauty of the Atlantic-bound sea-board 

 a region of striving seas breaking with baffled 

 fury and thunderous roar against unyielding ram- 

 parts of basalt and limestone. It is a region of 

 Rock-Doves and Seals, Falcons and Hooded Crows. 

 Here the Raven finds safe harbouring, here the 

 Sea-Eagle may yet linger. 



In appearance the Chough is one of our most 

 attractive species. Its elegant poise, dainty man- 

 ners, purplish -green-glossed ebon plumes, rather 

 long decurved red bill, and stockings of vermilion 



