234 HOODED, OR ROYSTON CROW. 



stragglers only appear. In the very north of 

 Scotland, however, where, from the form of the 

 land, the distance from sea to sea is comparatively 

 short, it is by far the most prevailing bird, the 

 other appearing gradually to decrease. In the 

 south, again, they arrive with our winter birds of 

 passage, frequent the shores and extensive downs 

 or commons, and in spring depart again for their 

 breeding quarters. They breed chiefly on cliffs, 

 placing the nest on a ledge of rock, or selecting 

 some stunted tree which has a suitable resting 

 place. In many parts, the coast is wooded nearly 

 to the water edge, and then a tree is selected ; at 

 the same time, we may safely affirm, that a rugged 

 rocky coast is their most favourite breeding 

 station. An individual occasionally strays in- 

 land, and in spring finds a mate in the Carrion 

 Crow. We have repeatedly seen them breeding 

 together, and could only account for it in this 

 way, one or two individuals only occurring in 

 the district alluded to during the winter. The 

 produce is birds of intermediate plumage ; but we 

 have never been able to trace them again breeding, 

 or for any long period. In Ireland the habits 

 are similar, and Mr Thompson writes that it is 

 common, and resident through the year. Tem- 

 minck remarks, that it is abundant in the eastern 

 parts of Europe, which are of a mountainous 

 character, but he does not mention whether it is 

 particularly confined to the coast. He also states 

 that it is abundant in Norway and Sweden, 

 migrating, however, in winter from some of the 



