2 BLACK BIRDS. 



with the Rooks, but the Starlings in a separate body. 

 Out of the breeding season Rooks retire at sundown 

 to roost together in large Communities. 



RAVEN 24 inches ; has long, loosely hanging feathers at 



the throat. 



JACKDAW 14 inches ; shorter bill, and gray nape. 

 CARRION CROW 19 inches. Usually solitary or in pairs. 

 HOODED CROW 19 inches ; body gray. 

 CHOUGH 16 inches ; red bill and feet 



None of these birds has the patch of naked grayish- white 

 skin at the base of the bill as in the Rook. 



RAVEN. Form, resembling the Hooded Crow 

 (plate 8). Length, 24 inches, and therefore the 

 largest of the Crow tribe. Plumage entirely black 

 and lustrous ; bill black and massive, closely feathered 

 up to the base ; feet also black ; long, loosely hang- 

 ing feathers at the throat forming the so-called 

 ' hackles.' Resident. 



Eggs. 3-5, or more, greenish-blue, blotched with 

 olive-brown ; 1'9 * 1'32 inch (plate 121). 



Nest. Of sticks, heather, &c., lined with wool, 

 fur, and hair, and placed on cliff's or in trees. 



Distribution. High cliffs of the south coast of 

 England, North Devon and Welsh coasts, Scotch coast 

 and the Scottish Islands, and in the wilder parts of 

 Ireland ; also inland in hill-country. Rare every- 

 where. 



Lake all the Crows a walking bird, hopping excep- 

 tionally. When disturbed it rises with effort, flying 

 with slow, heavy wing-stroke. Ravens nest in soli- 

 tary pairs on the high cliffs, and at times in trees in 



