134 FAMILIAR WILL BIRDS. 



of as the Red -legged Crow, Killigrew, Hermit Crow, 

 Cliff Daw, Gesner's Wood Crow, and other titles too 

 numerous to particularise. 



The Chough, although ranked amongst the Corvidse, is 

 not a true crow, but seems to be a sort of connecting link 

 between the Crow and the Pastors. It is distinguished 

 from the crow family by the form of the beak, which is 

 longer than the head, and is arched and pointed. Its 

 flight is something like that of the rook, but more rapid, 

 and its movements when on the ground are more lively and 

 graceful. The note is shrill, but not unpleasant, and may 

 be said to resemble the words " creea, creea"; sometimes it 

 utters a quick chattering noise like a starling. 



Amongst the places where the Chough is occasionally 

 seen, and where at one time it was comparatively common, 

 may be mentioned Cornwall, Devonshire, the Isle of Man, 

 Galloway, St. Abb's Head, the Wiltshire Downs, Pem- 

 brokeshire, Flintshire, the Isle of Anglesea, and many 

 parts of the Irish coast. 



Cornwall was formerly very noted for these birds, as 

 one of their best known names (Cornish Chough) clearly 

 indicates. 



The Chough is partial to the sea-shore and the banks of 

 large tidal rivers, near their junction with the sea. Like the 

 Jackdaw, these birds have a strong liking for isolated 

 buildings, and when not breeding in the cliffs., they usually 

 select some old church tower or ruined castle for their 

 breeding places. Their food is principally made up of 

 insects, grubs, small Crustacea, grains, berries, and 

 occasionally carrion ; freshly-ploughed land is also fre- 

 quently visited for the worms and beetles that may be 

 obtained there. In feeding on small insects, the food is 



