In Forest and Copse. 147 



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or so; whilst in the swampy corner of a wood at 

 Norton we have remarked several nests in adjoining 

 trees. The prettiest nests of this Thrush we have 

 ever seen were from the Rivelin Valley, and com- 

 posed externally almost completely of sphagnum 

 moss, amongst which a few slender birch twigs were 

 interwoven. We never found more than four eggs 

 in the nest of the Missel- thrush, and always consider 

 that this is the normal number, never less and never 

 more. Indeed, the bird is as regular in this respect 

 as the Snipes, and more so, perhaps, than any other 

 Passerine species. The Carrion Crow, we are glad 

 to say, still manages to maintain a place in these 

 northern woodlands, but in not a few places he is 

 yearly becoming scarcer. He is without doubt a sad 

 thief and a plundering rascal, yet in spite of all his dark 

 deeds we should be sorry to see him banished. His 

 bulky well-made nest, to which he returns, when left 

 unmolested, year by year, is generally placed far up 

 one of the tallest trees in the wood. It is interesting 

 to remark, however, that he is a much later breeder 

 in these northern woods than in the southern shires. 

 In Devonshire we have known the Carrion Crow 

 commence building in March, but in South York- 

 shire the eggs are not usually laid before the end of 

 April or even in May. Farther north, as readers 

 may be aware, this species is gradually and almost 

 entirely replaced by the Hooded Crow a bird that 



