THE CARRION CROW 



been known to take up its abode with a colony of Rooks in 

 Gray's Inn, and I have noticed similar instances in country 

 districts. It is a most predaceous bird, preying upon 

 anything it can capture or carry away, but otherwise 

 its general movements and appearance are^very similar 

 to those of the better-known Rook. It is practically 

 omnivorous in its diet, like the Raven, and its depreda- 

 tions on farms and in game-preserves bring down upon 

 it only too well-merited retribution. By disposition shy 

 and wary in the extreme, it is interesting to remark how 

 these traits have become modified in the Crows that live 

 in London. The note of this bird is quite sufficient to 

 distinguish the species from the Rook. It is harsh and 

 croaking, and very different in tone from the compara- 

 tively cheerful and peaceful caw of that bird. In the 

 breeding season especially this note is modulated in various 

 ways, especially when the bird is toying in the air with its 

 mate or beating off a rival. The Carrion Crow may often 

 be seen on the grass in the London parks, feeding either 

 by itself or in the company of Rooks and Starlings and 

 Ring-Doves. It walks about in the same sedate way as 

 the Rook, feeds like that species, from which it may 

 readily be distinguished by the green rather than purple 

 sheen on its plumage, and by its completely feathered 

 throat and forehead. The Carrion Crows breeding in 

 the vicinity of London always make their nests in trees, 

 but in many localities a ledge on a cliff is preferred, or is 

 the only situation available. The nest is a bulky one, made 

 outwardly of sticks and turf, lined with roots, wool, dry 

 leaves, moss, fur, and hair, and occasionally feathers. The 

 eggs, usually five, are green of various shades, blotched, 

 clouded, spotted, and freckled with olive-brown and grey. 

 The old birds are excessively wary during the nesting 

 period, and as soon as the young can shift for themselves 

 they are deserted by their parents. 



The adult Carrion Crow is uniform black shot with 



203 



