200 BIRDS. 



fish, fruits, and even shell-fish, which they contrive to break by dropping them an 

 & hard surface from a height. They often destroy weakly lambs, and, when pressed 

 with hunger, will even pursue birds on the wing. Their croaking in the morning 

 is said to indicate fine weather. Like the raven and other congenerous birds the 

 carrion crow may be domesticated, and taught to articulate several words. It has 

 been also observed to manifest the same disposition to hoard provisions and glitter- 

 ing trinkets. 



C. comix, Lin. Hooded or Royston Crow. Plumage of the neck 

 and body ash-coloured ; head,, throat, wings, and tail black, with 

 bronze reflections ; bill and feet black j iris brown. Twenty-one 

 inches long. Inhabits Europe, &c. Selby, Illust. pi. 29. 

 This species visits the south of England in October, or the beginning of winter, 

 arriving and departing with the woodcock, and retiring north to breed in the begin- 

 ning of April. In the Orkneys, Hebrides, and Shetland islands, it is the only ge- 

 nuine crow, the rook and carrion crow being there unknown. In these districts, and in 

 some parts of Scotland, it is resident throughout the year. Where opportunities 

 offer, it breeds in the pines and other large trees, in default of which it nestles in the 

 cavities of rocks. The female, which is rather smaller than the male, and of less 

 lively hues, usually lays four, five, or six eggs, of a green ish-blue, marked with 

 many spots of blackish -brown. The Royston crow is remarked for its double cry, 

 of which one is hollow and well known, and the other shrill, and somewhat resem- 

 bling the crowing of a cock. When other food is wanting, these crows eat cran- 

 berries and other mountain fruits. In open fertile countries they live much on grain, 

 worms, and carrion ; but they often resort to the sea-shores, and prey on the various 

 animal matters thrown up by the tide. Mr Low, in his Natural History of Orkney, 

 observes, that in that country they meet together in spring, as if to deliberate on the 

 important concerns of summer, and, after flying about in this collected state for eight 

 or ten days, separate into pairs, and betake themselves to the mountains. 



C.frugilegus, Lin. The Rook. Base of the bill, nostrils, throat, 

 and part of the head destitute of feathers ; plumage of a fine 

 black, with purple and violet reflections ; bill straighter and more 

 slender than in the preceding species j mandibles and feet black ; 

 iris of a grayish white. About eighteen inches long. Sometimes 

 found white. Inhabits Europe. B. Selby, Illust. pi. 30. 

 In England Rooks are stationary ; but in France, Silesia, and many other coun- 

 tries, a great many migrate. In France they are the forerunners of winter, where- 

 as in Siberia they announce the summer. Their flights are sometimes so dense as 

 to darken the air, being frequently joined, not only by the common crow and the 

 jackdaw, but also by troops of starlings. Every spring they resort to breed on the 

 same trees, preferring the loftier branches, and building sometimes ten or twelve 

 nests, rising one above another on the same tree. They feed chiefly on worms and 

 insects; but in winter, particularly when the ground is covered with snow, they fly 

 to the sea-shore to feed on small shell-fish, particularly the common periwinkle. 

 These last they raise into the air, and drop them among stones to break the shell. 



C. monedula, Lin. The Jackdaw. Top of the head of a black 

 colour, changing to violet ; occiput and upper part of the neck 

 gray ash-coloured ; the rest of the body above black, with a 

 violet reflection ; the under parts deep black j iris grayish white. 

 About thirteen inches long. Inhabits Europe. B. Selby, Illust. 

 pi. 31. fig. 1. 



Jackdaws feed principally on worms and the larvae of insects, and are very fond 

 of cherries. Their voice is shriller than that of the rook or crow, and appears to 

 be capable of different inflections. They are easily tamed, and seem so fond of do- 

 mestication as seldom to attempt their escape. They may be fed on insects, fruit, 

 grain, and even small pieces of meat. With no great difficulty they may be taught 

 to articulate several words; but they are mischievous and tricky, and will secrete 

 not only portions of their food, but pieces of money, jewels, &c. 



