54 EAVEN. 



reflections; ear-coverts, sides of neck, and back of head grey ; 

 under parts dull black. Bill and legs black. Eye white. Length 

 14 in. Female slightly smaller. Young, dull black, and grey 

 areas less distinct. 



Language. A sharp, impertinent " chack " or " jock." 



Habits. Very sociable, always breeding in communities, and 

 passing much of the winter in company with Rooks. Pond of 

 flight, and loves to manoauvre in the air, sweeping and circling 

 about, and then returning to the same place it started from. 

 Flight strong, and wings rapidly vibrated. On the ground 

 almost as indefatigable as the Starling when searching for 

 food. 



Food. Practically omnivorous and, like the last, very fond 

 of eggs. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In holes in ruins, trees, sea-cliffs, and other similar 

 situations. 



Materials. Sticks, dry grass, and an endless amount of 

 rubbish ; lined with wool, fur, &c. 



Eggs. Four to six. Pale blue or bluish green, spotted and 

 blotched with dark olive-brown and lavender-grey ; rather 

 variable. 



EAVEN (Corvus cor ax). 



Resident. Very local and rare, except in Scotland, where it 

 is more abundant. It also breeds in suitable localities in the 

 south and south-western counties, and in Ireland. 



Haunts. Mountainous districts and especially sea-cliffs. 



Observation. Distinguish from Crow and Rook by larger 

 size. 



Plumage. Glossy black, with purple and Prussian blue re- 

 flections. Bill and legs black. Length 25 in. Female slightly 

 smaller and not so lustrous. Young, like female. 



Language. A hoarse, croaking " whurk ; " also a cry re- 

 sembling the hoarse growl of a dog. 



Habits. Flight powerful, heavy, and sweeping. On the 

 ground it sidles along with long, ungainly hops. 



Food. Omnivorous. 



Nest. March. One brood. 



Site. Not often in trees ; usually on some inaccessible ledge 

 of the sea-cliffs. 



Materials. Stout sticks, twigs, and heather- sprigs, lined 

 with grass, roots, wool, fur, &c. 



Eggs. Four to six. Greenish blue, more or less densely 

 spotted and blotched with dark olive-brown ; variable. 



