GKEYBACKED CROW. 



for when once they can fly they are very difficult to get near 

 with a gun. The Black Carrion Crow is very much the same as 

 the Hoodie, except in colour. In Forfarshire I have heard of 

 them pairing, and of young ones being both black and grey- 

 backed in the same nest ; but I have not known it happen here, 

 although I believe there are a few of the entirely black sort here 

 also. It is very difficult to distinguish them from Eooks of the 

 first year, that still have the beak feathered, except by their cry. 

 They generally caw only three times, and perhaps more fre- 

 quently rise silently and sneak away if disturbed ; whereas the 

 noisy Kooks, who generally congregate in greater numbers than 

 the Carrions do, are in the habit of " rising and cawing at the 

 gun's report, sever themselves, and wildly sweep the sky." 



The Greybacked Crow frequents the seashore, especially after 

 a storm, looking out for what jetsam the waves may cast up, or, 

 if there is no better food to be had, feeding on shell-fish. I have 

 more than once observed them eating the berries of the mountain 

 ash off the trees growing near the seashore, where there was 

 abundance of apparently more congenial food. Their taste for 

 these berries does not seem to be generally known. 



In the young Greybacked Crow the eyes are blue. I do not 

 know if it is so in the Black Carrion Crow. 



96 



