84 CORVIM. 



of Crows in England, which breeds more of them than any 

 other country in Europe." 



The Crow is an early breeder, like the other species of 

 the genus Corvus, beginning to build or repair its nest in 

 the month of February. The nest is generally placed in 

 a forked branch of a tree ; the outside is framed of sticks 

 and twigs, with a plentiful lining of wool and hair, or other 

 soft material : the eggs are usually four or five in number, 

 of a pale bluish green, spotted and speckled with two 

 shades of ash colour and clove brown ; the length of the 

 egg one inch eight lines, by one inch two lines in breadth. 

 The male feeds the female while she remains upon the 

 eggs, and both defend their young with great courage 

 against birds much larger than themselves. According to 

 Mr. Macgillivray, if the male be killed, the female soon 

 gets another mate. In countries where the Carrion Crow 

 is not numerous, it has been known to pair with the 

 Hooded Crow; and some instances of this, and of some 

 other birds also, that in a wild state have been known to 

 pair with birds that were not of their own species, will be 

 noticed in the history of the Hooded Crow, which imme- 

 diately follows. 



The Carrion Crow is found throughout England. In 

 Ireland, Mr. Thompson informs me, it frequents the sea 

 coast chiefly through the northern parts. In Scotland it 

 is also found ; but diminishes in number as you approach 

 the northern extremity. Miiller includes the C. cor one in 

 the Birds of Denmark ; but M. Nilsson says it is rare in 

 Sweden, and according to Oedman it does not go to the 

 northward of Nordkopin. It is found in Norway, on the 

 Faroe Islands, and at Iceland. The Crow of the United 

 States of America is a different species. 



Southward in Europe, it is found in Germany, France, 

 Spain, Provence, and Italy; inhabiting the woods from 



