THE CROWS. 1 i 



in Scandinavia than in Siberia, where it reaches to the Valley of 

 theYenesei, Seebohm having noticed it at Krasnoyarsk (lat. 56). 

 In many parts of Southern Europe the Jackdaw is local, but it 

 occurs in the countries north of the Mediterranean and in 

 Algeria. It has not been found in Egypt, and in South- 

 eastern Europe is replaced by Colceus collaris^ which takes its 

 place to the eastward. 



Habits. The Jackdaw is decidedly a gregarious bird like the 

 Rook, with which it is a close companion, especially in winter, 

 migrating in flocks along with that species. Even in the 

 breeding season many pairs nest in company, and we have 

 known as many as ten nests in a single old tree. Cathedral 

 and University towns are favourite haunts of the Jackdaw, 

 which finds its favourite nesting-places in the old towers and 

 churches. In many places, however, the bird builds in holes 

 of cliffs and in rabbit-burrows, and not unfrequently in the 

 open. We have ourselves seen a Jackdaw's nest on the ledge 

 of a window-sill of an outhouse. 



Nest. The nest is an untidy structure, by no means equal to 

 that of the Rook as a piece of architecture, and is composed of 

 sticks, moss and grass, with a few feathers occasionally added. 



Eggs. From three to six in number, bluish green or bluish 

 white, with obscure grey spots and bolder spots and markings 

 of brown or greenish brown, distributed pretty equally over 

 the whole egg. Axis, i '35-1 '55 inch; diam., 0-9-1-1 inch. 



In dry seasons, when food is difficult to obtain, the number 

 of eggs is often only three, and many young birds perish in 

 the nest. 



THE CROWS. GENUS CORONE. 



Corone, Kaup, Skizz., Natiirl Syst., p. 99 (1829). 



Type, C. corone (Linn.). 



The Crows are Ravens in miniature, and differ only in the 

 form of the wing, the first primary quill being longer than the 

 ordinary secondaries, but not equal to the innermost second- 

 aries in length. They are found in the northern portions of both 

 Hemispheres, ranging into Mexico in the New World, and 

 occurring over the greater part of the Old World, except in 



