284 NATATORES, OR SWIMMING BIRDS. 



day. Several, which in their habits are strictly land- 

 birds, and never enter the water or feed on the products 

 of the sea, pass their lives in its neighbourhood, and 

 continually meet us on rocky coasts. Of these the 

 Chough or Cornish Crow (Fregilus graculus) is one of 

 the most remarkable. Its size is between that of a 

 Rook and a Jackdaw, but it is more shapely than 

 either, of a glossy blue-black colour, with bright red 

 bill and legs. The bill is more slender than in others 

 of the crow family, and is remarkably curved, and sharp- 

 pointed. These birds build in inaccessible crags and 

 cliffs along the coast, forming a nest of sticks, lined 

 with wool and hair, in which are laid four or five yel- 

 lowish white spotted eggs. They feed on insects and 

 berries, and sometimes on grain. Like others of the 

 Crow tribe, they are easily tamed, if taken young, and 

 exhibit in captivity the same restless curiosity and love 

 of pilfering, and hiding what they steal, that mark the 

 Raven and Jackdaw. Montagu has given us an inter- 

 esting account of one of these birds which he kept for 

 several years in his garden, and which became exceed- 

 ingly bold and familiar. His account will be found 

 copied into Yarrell's admirable " History," a source 

 from which I have not scrupled to draw in the short 

 notice that follows. 



But the birds most characteristic of the coast belong 

 to the groups of NATATORES, or Swimmers, distinguished 

 by having webbed feet, which act as paddles in propel- 

 ling them through the water. This very extensive 

 group contains numerous families, several of which are 

 included in the British Fauna. At the head of the list 



