THE CARRION-CROW. 163 



the two colours of the respective species have remained pure and distinct, forms 

 the most striking proof of the specific independence of the two ; for, if they had 

 not existed originally as two fixed primary forms, to which the mongrel offspring 

 reverted, though this may have occurred only after several generations, we should 

 at present know neither the one species nor the other in its pure simple 

 coloration, but should meet only with unlimited gradational stages of mixtures of 

 grey and black forms." 



This argument however is not unassailable, unless it be claimed that the 

 three Pheasants P. colchicus, P. torquatus, and P. versicolor, which also interbreed 

 freely and produce endless intergrades are therefore not distinct species. It must 

 also be borne in mind that in some cases acknowledged sports of the same 

 species when crossed do not produce intergrades, but from one clutch of eggs 

 reproduce examples of each variety, as has been proved in the case of the 

 Barbary Turtle- Dove, the Gouldian Finch, and the supposed fertile hybrid known 

 as the Bengalee. 



In many respects the Carrion-Crow resembles the Raven, inhabiting similar 

 haunts, whether among the rocky uplands, or in woods and game-coverts. In its 

 predatory habits it is almost, if not quite as much dreaded, both by shepherd 

 and game-keeper. Ever seeking for food from dawn till dark, the mischief done 

 by a pair of this species in a single season must be enormous. That this bird 

 has some courage seems probable from the fact that it will sometimes dispute 

 with a Gull or even a small Hawk, but it appears soon to weary of resisting a 

 combined attack, otherwise the young chicks of pheasants and partridges would 

 indeed fare badly. Lord Lilford observes : " We have not a word to say in 

 defence of the Carrion-Crow. His habits appear to us to be purely noxious, and 

 neither his personal appearance, voice, or manners in captivity offers anything in 

 extenuation of his natural evil propensities." 



The flight of the Carrion-Crow is somewhat laboured, though at times very 

 rapid, its wings regularly beating the air; when approaching the earth it usually 

 wheels round in circles. On the earth it either walks ; or, if in a hurry, leaps 

 forward with half opened wings after the fashion of its kind. 



The time of nidification of the Carrion-Crow is from the latter half of April 

 to nearly the end of May (a clutch which I purchased from a shepherd, whose 

 boys had just taken them from a nest near the top of an elm-tree at Iwade near 

 Sheppy, consisted of three full-sized eggs and one small yolkless one, all of which 

 were quite fresh on May 25th). The nest is bulky and the same structure is 

 believed to be used and added to year after year ; it is either placed in a niche, 

 or on a ledge of rock, or in a tall tree, oak, elm, or pine ; but in Holland it is 



