COMMON or. mi if 



Distinguishing Feature. Its habit of creeping up the 

 trunks of trees like a mouse, seeking after insects in the 

 crevices of the bark. When watched, it usually creeps 

 round to the opposite side of the trunk. It is as equally 

 at home hanging on to the under side of a bough as it is 

 on the top. Curved beak and streaky plumage above, 

 and silvery-white beneath. Small size. The effect 

 of the variegated plumage is to make it closely resem- 

 ble the bark of the tree it creeps upon. 



Nest. In a crevice of bark or hole in tree. 



Eggs. White with red spots. 



Haunts. Woods and wooded districts. 



CROW, CARRION. (R. Crows.) 



Size. Slightly larger than Rook. 



Colour. Glossy black. 



Note. A hoarse croak or caw. 



Distinguishing Feature. The Crow is usually seen 

 singly or in pairs, and has no bare patch on face like th 

 Rook. 



Nest. The Carrion Crow does not build in company. 

 The nest is made of sticks, &c., lined wool and fine 

 grass, at the top of some tall tree in a secluded wood. 



Eggs. Greenish-white, thickly spotted and blotched 

 with greenish and reddish-brown. 



Haunts. Chiefly wooded districts. 



CUCKOO. (S.M. Cuckoos.) 



Size. Pigeon. 



Colour. Above slaty-grey, tail blackish with spots 

 of white and tipped with same. Sides of face and 

 throat lighter grey than back, rest of under parts white 

 with black bars. 



Note. ' Cuckoo.' 



Distinguishing Feature. The well-known note. In 

 flight the Cuckoo has a somewhat hawk-like appearance, 

 having a rather long tail, the style of colouring adding 

 to the likeness. 



Nest. None, the eggs always being placed in the nest 

 of some other bird, such as Hedge Sparrow, Tree Pipit, 

 Wagtail, &c. 



Eggs. Vary a great deal, usually whitish, with brown 

 markings of various shades. 



Haunts. Most country districts 



