CROWS. 73 



moss is built about three feet long from a shelving bank. 

 At the end a steel rabbit trap is set. A hen's egg as bait 

 having been emptied through a large hole on one side, a 

 small piece of stick or a match with twine attached is placed 

 cross-ways inside. To the other end of the twine a stone is 

 fastened, and the egg is by this means anchored off the end 

 of the artificial jetty. When a magpie sees the egg floating 

 on the water, down it comes, and after a little while walks 

 up the " landing-stage," to get within reach of the tempting 

 morsel, and is caught in the act. 



We have said nothing about the admirable chough, 

 who, like the crow and raven, is faithful to one mate until 

 death divides them. King Arthur's spirit went into a 

 " russet-pated chough," the Cornish bards sing after 

 Camlan ; and the only mention we have in fable of the 

 red-stockinged " market- j e w-crow " is when he very pro- 

 perly refuses to " swop " his scarlet legs for the peacock's 

 gaudy tail. He is modest and faithful in his personality, 

 and attractive to the naturalist and lover of coast scenery. 

 The jackdaws and hooded crows are as interesting as any 

 of their kind, and fill up niches in the rich and varied 

 bird life of the British Isles. 



