88 CORVID.fi. 



known in which the female of the Black Grouse, usually 

 called the Grey Hen, has bred in a wild state with the 

 Common Pheasant ; and hybrids between the Pheasant and 

 Domestic Fowls, are frequently produced. The Common 

 Goose, in a state of domestication, has produced young with 

 the Chinese Gander, as recorded by T. C, Eyton, Esq. ; 

 and the Wild Duck has bred with the male Pintail at 

 Belvidere, as communicated to the Zoological Society by 

 Lord Saye and Sele. 



Several experiments on the productive powers of various 

 hybrid birds are now in progress ; but, without intending to 

 anticipate the interesting particulars which may be elicited, 

 I may briefly refer to what has fallen under my own observa- 

 tion. Some degree of restriction, either accidental or im- 

 posed, and arising from various causes, appears to be neces- 

 sary to induce the union of birds that are of different 

 species; but the influence of the Divine command to in- 

 crease and multiply is so irresistible, that some birds unite 

 with strange partners, rather than have no partner at all ; 

 when putting two birds of different species together, with 

 the intention of breeding from them, union is less likely to 

 take place if they are kept within sight or hearing of other 

 birds of their own species. The two sexes of the broods 

 produced by such unions take little or no notice of each 

 other when adult, even during the usual breeding-season, 

 and are believed to be unproductive among themselves if so 

 restricted ; but if allowed an opportunity of uniting with 

 the true species of either parent, they are then prolific, 

 and the young birds produced soon lose all intermediate 

 character. 



The Hooded Crows, like the other Crows, are early 

 breeders, making their nest upon trees, in those countries 

 where trees are found, in default of trees they build on 



