BRITISH BIRDS. 



89 



THE CHOUGH. 



RED LEGGED CROW. 



(Pyrrhocorax Gracnlus, Temm. Pyrrhocorax 

 coracias, Temm.) 



THIS bird is about the weight of the Jack-Daw, 

 but of a taller and longer shape. The bill is long, 

 curved, sharp at the tip, and of a bright red ; the 

 iris is composed of two circles, the outer red, the 

 inner light blue ; the eye-lids are red ; the plumage 

 is altogether of a purplish violet black; legs red 

 like the bill ; claws large, hooked, and black. It 

 builds on high cliffs by the sea-side, lays four or 

 five eggs, spotted with ash, and chiefly frequents 

 the coasts of Devonshire and Cornwall, and like- 

 wise many parts of Wales : some are found on the 



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