258 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



Mr. Alfred Newton: "When undisturbed, they have 

 usually re-furnished their last year's nest, always lining 

 it neatly with rabbits' down. It is built on one of some 

 lofty Scotch fir- trees standing far out on a heath. The 

 number of eggs laid is generally five, but I have known 

 them to be content with four ; while, on the other hand, 

 six were once deposited. While the hen is sitting, the 

 actions of the male bird are well worth watching : he 

 dashes indiscriminately at any bird that approaches, be 

 it stock-dove or peregrine falcon, and when the intruder 

 has been utterly routed, he shoots back to the nest, 

 celebrating his victory by a sonorous croak, turning, as 

 he utters it, completely over on his back, an action 

 which does not, however, in the least degree impede his 

 onward career. He then resumes his look-out station on 

 one of the highest boughs; perhaps leaving it again 

 at the expiration of a few minutes to repel another 

 invasion." It is probable that migratory stragglers still 

 visit us occasionally in winter, more particularly in 

 sharp weather, as Mr. Dix assures me that, a year or two 

 back, he saw seven in a body passing high overhead at 

 West Harling, and was attracted by their harsh notes 

 and quarrelling amongst themselves ; but for the last 

 eight or ten years, at least, I have seen but one specimen 

 in our bird-stuffers' hands, undoubtedly obtained in a 

 wild state. 



CORVUS COEONE, Linneeus. 

 CAEEION-CEOW. 



It is scarcely to be wondered at that in one of the 

 largest game preserving counties in England, the 

 Carrion-crow should have become yearly more and more 

 scarce, in fact its existence amongst us at all, at the 



