222 THE RAVEN, &C. 



punished as they deserve ; for the old ones join in a 

 league against them, and severely punish them for what 

 was illegally gained. 



The Royston crow, in size, resembles the former ; 

 but the breast, belly, and back, are of a pale ash-co- 

 lour, whilst the head and wings are glossed with a beau- 

 tiful blue. It is allowed to be a bird of passage, which 

 visits this kingdom the beginning of winter, and quits 

 it again at the approach of spring. 



The jackdaw is a black loquacious bird, not above 

 the size of a pigeon ; they build their nests in old 

 castles and steeples, and seldom lay more than five or 

 six eggs. The Cornish chough resembles the jackdaw, 

 but is nearly the size of a crow, and is only to be found 

 along the western coast. 



To this tribe of the crow-kind might be added several 

 of a foreign breed, but we shall only take notice of one, 

 which is called the calao, or horned Indian raven, 

 which exceeds the common one in size, and in habits 

 of pillage and depredation. The beak of this bird is 

 long and curved, and there is a horn springing from 

 the top which has a singular effect: the head is so large 

 as to be disproportioned to the body, and the whole of 

 its appearance is calculated to disgust. 



OF THE MAGPIE, AND ITS AFFINITIES. 



There are such a variety of birds that may be classed 

 under this head, that it would be tedious to give a de- 

 scription of them all. A straight strong bill, body 

 about the size of a pigeon, party-coloured plumage, 

 and an incessant chattering noise, are the general cha- 

 racteristics of this numerous tribe, which, near the 

 Line, amount to such numbers, that they stun the ear 

 with their vociferous noise. 



