CARRION CROW HOODED CROW. 55 



CARRION CKOW (Gorvus corone). 



Eesident. Pretty well distributed in well-wooded districts ; 

 commoner in Scotland, and rare in Ireland. 



Haunts. Well- wooded districts, estuaries, sea-cliffs, &c. 



Observation. Distinguish from Book by absence of white 

 nude patch at base of the bill. 



Plumage. Black, with green and purple reflections. Bill 

 and legs black. Length 19 in. Female, less lustrous. Young, 

 still duller. 



Language. A hoarse "horr," rather like the Rook's, but 

 rougher. 



Habits. Somewhat resembling the last. Flight laboured, 

 but nevertheless strong and rapid. At a distance indistinguish- 

 able from the Rook, but always seen singly or in pairs never in 

 flocks. 



Food. Carrion principally, but it will kill birds and small 

 mammals too weak or sickly to defend themselves. 



Nest. April or May. One brood. 



Site. In a tall tree or on a ledge in a cliff. 



Materials. Sticks, twigs, plastered with mud, and lined with 

 grass, roots, fur, wool, hair, feathers, &c. 



Eggs. Four to six. Bluish green, spotted and blotched with 

 olive-brown and some markings of purplish grey. Like the 

 Raven's, but smaller. 



HOODED CROW ; ALSO GREY CROW AND ROYSTON 

 CROW (Corvus comix). 



Migrant ; being chiefly a visitor in autumn and winter. In 

 Scotland and Ireland well distributed, resident and breeding 

 there. A few pairs remain to breed in suitable localities in 

 England. 



Haunts. Estuaries and the sea-coast. 



Plumage. Head, throat, front of breast, wings, tail, and 

 thighs black, with green and purple reflections ; remainder of 

 plumage ash-grey. Bill and legs black. Length 19^ in. 

 Female slightly smaller. Young duller. 



Language. A harsh " era." 



Habits. Like the last. 



Food. Like the last. 



Nest. End of March. 



Site. Like the last. 



Materials. Like the last. 



Eggs. Four to six. In colouring and markings identical 

 with the Carrion Crow's. 



