86 THE HOODED CHOW 



abundant supply of food. It derives its subsistc nee from carrion, 

 dead fish, crabs, echini, mollusca, larvae, grain, and other matters, 

 it being fully as promiscuous a feeder as the Carrion Crow, or the 

 Haven, although it certainly prefers fish and mollusca to large 

 carcases, and very rarely feeds upon a stranded whale, or even a 

 domestic animal. Young lambs are favourite delicacies, and in 

 severe seasons, when summer in vain struggles with winter, some- 

 times affords abundant temporary supply. 1 am not, however, 

 inclined to believe that the Hooded Crow often destroys these 

 animals, nor that it ventures to attack sickly sheep. It never 

 disputes a prize with the Raven, much less the Eagle, nor will it 

 advance so near to a dog as the former of these birds, which it 

 resembles in vigilance and cunning, but without showing equal 

 boldness. 



" Perhaps the most remarkable habit of the Hooded Crow, is 

 one which most persons who have observed it, consider as indi- 

 cative of the approach of rain, but which I have not found to 

 have any connection with that phenomenon. In quiet, and more 

 especially in dull close weather, one of them, perched on a stone 

 or crag, continues to croak for a long time, being responded to at 

 intervals by another that has taken a station at some distance. 

 Its voice is not so loud or clear as that of the Carrion Crow, but 

 resolves itself into a rather harsh sound, resembling the syllable 

 craa, pronounced by a genuine Aberdonian. On ordinary occa- 

 sions, its flight is peculiarly sedate, being performed by regularly 

 timed slow beats ; but, when necessary, it can be greatly accele- 

 rated, although it never equals in rapidity that of the Eaveii. 

 It also walks in the same staid manner as the Carrion Crow and 

 the Hook, and in general wears a grave aspect, demeaning itself 

 so as if it were not disposed to indulge in unbecoming levity. It 

 rarely molests other birds, nor is it often attacked by any." 



According to SELBY, "in those districts of Scotland where 

 these birds most abound (which appear to be on the western and 

 northern parts of the mainland, in the Scottish isles), there is no 

 visible diminution of their numbers during the winter months ;" 

 and therefore it has been inferred that those which visit England 

 are annual migrants from Sweden, Norway, and other north- 

 eastern countries. They generally make their appearance at about 

 the same time as the Woodcocks, " which birds," says YARRELL, 

 " are known always to take advantage of a north-eastern breeze 

 for their journey." 



TEMMINCK relates, "that in the northern countries of Europe, 

 where the C. corone is rare, a mixed breed is produced between 

 it and the C. comix." Many instances of this admixture of breeds 

 are also quoted by YARRELL, but it does not appear whether 

 this hybrid race of birds is capable of reproduction : probably 



