HOODED CROW. 173 



THE HOODED CROW. 



COR V US CORN IX. 



Feannag. 



ALTHOUGH the western mainland of Scotland is frequented by a 

 mixed breed of crows, as has already been said in connection 

 with the preceding species, the grey bird or hooded crow is 

 found in all its purity in the inner group of islands, and also in 

 the Outer Hebrides, including the remoter rocks, and St Kilda. It 

 is there permanently resident, and exists in many places in such 

 numbers as to prove a great nuisance both to the farmer and game 

 preserver. Even with this character, the persecution inflicted 

 upon it does not seem to be injuriously severe, as its ranks have 

 not been diminished in any perceptible degree for the last thirty 

 years. I have often wondered, indeed, how so many ravenous 

 creatures manage to subsist in these islands without provoking 

 the inhabitants to unite in rooting them out. On the western 

 side of the Long Island, where farming is extensively practised, 

 they are particularly mischievous, their plundering raids among 

 lambs and poultry being distinguished by an amount of wariness 

 and cunning which makes their unwelcome presence a subject of 

 constant annoyance. Away from the coast their perpetual thefts 

 are not less felt. In spring and summer, during the time of 

 breeding, no bird is safe against their attacks a momentary 

 exposure of the nest and eggs being too great a temptation 

 to the feathered vagabonds. Even the golden and sea eagles 

 frequently lose their eggs by these crows. Mr Brown and Dr 

 Dewar have both told me of instances that have come under their 

 personal notice, where eagles' nests have been robbed of their 

 contents while the owners were absent through disturbance. Dr 

 Dewar states that on the island of Rum this year (April, 1870), 

 three eggs at least were carried off by hooded crows which were 

 seen waiting an opportunity for making a descent on the nest. 

 In one case the eagle had no sooner quitted her eyrie than the 

 crows pounced on the exposed eggs, and would doubtless have 

 succeeded in breaking them had not the male eagle made his 

 appearance and beat them off. Dr Dewar describes the scene as 

 being extremely interesting, the eagle being in a rage at the thieves, 

 one of whom he followed through all the hurried deviations of his 



