402 THE EOYSTON OR HOODED CROW. 



in the foundation of the nest. The Jackdaw is not choice in the selection of feathered 

 neighbours, for I have found in the same tower the nests of pigeons. Jackdaws, and star- 

 lings, in amicable proximity to each other. The eggs are smaller and much paler than 

 those of the rook or crow, but have a similar general aspect. Their number is about five. 



The general colour of the Jackdaw is black, with the exception of the back of the 

 head and the nape of the neck, which are grey. A decided tinge of glossy blue is percep- 

 tible on the wings. The total length of the adult Jackdaw is about fourteen inches. Tlie 

 female is distinguishable from her mate by the darker colour of the grey hood. In both 

 sexes the wings are short, and when closed do not reach within an inch of the tip of the 

 tail. As is the case "u^ith many others of the same tribe, there are instances of pale and 

 pied Jackdaws, the wings and tail being generally darker than the remainder of the body. 

 In the British Museum there is a good specimen of an albino jay, the body being creamy 

 white, while the wings retain the baiTed blue and black so characteristic of the species, 

 but extremely pale. 



Sometimes the Jackdaw will take possession of the deserted nest of a rook or crow, 

 and laying a substratum of hay and wool upon the original fabric, deposit its eggs and 

 rear its young upon this easily gotten property. Occasionally, but very rarely, the Jack- 

 daw has been seen to build a regular nest in the branches of trees, rocks, or rabbit-warrens, 

 — ruins and church-towers being wanting. 



, The remarkable bird which has very appropriately been called the Great-Billed 

 Crow is, undoubtedly, the most singular example of the whole tribe. 



In its dimensions it is much larger than an ordinary crow, and rather smaller than a 

 raven, for which bird it might be taken but for the extraordinary beak. The bill of this 

 species is so large as to remind the observer of a toucan or a puffin, and the bite of such 

 a powerful weapon must be most formidable. It is very deep, thick and rounded, becoming 

 wider at the top and deeply ridged, curving suddenly to a point, and very sharp at its 

 extremity. In colour it is jetty black, except the extreme tip, which is white. 



The colour of this bird is deep shining black on the upper parts, like that of the raven, 

 having a slight purplish gloss upon the sides. Upon the back of the neck there is a pure 

 white oval mark, and upon the shoulders there is another white patch of a crescentic 

 shape ; the two being connected with a narrow line of white down the back of the neck, 

 so that the whole shape of the mark resembles an orange in a wineglass. Tlie Great- 

 billed Crow is a native of Abyssinia. 



The RoYSTON Crow, or Hooded Crow, or Grey Crow, is a very conspicuous bird, 

 on account of the curiously pied plumage with which it is invested. 



This bird is not very common in England, but is plentifully found both in Ireland, 

 Scotland, and the Scottish isles, ha\dng been seen in large flocks of several hundred in 

 number on the east coast of Jura. Generally it is not ver}^ gregarious, the male and 

 female only being found in company ; but it sometimes chooses to associate in little 

 flocks of fifteen or sixteen in number. It seems to prefer the sea-coast to any inland 

 locality, as it there finds a great variety of food, and is not much exposed to danger. 

 I have often seen these birds in the Bay of Dublin, perching upon the rocks at low water, 

 and searching for food among the dank seaweed, and in the rock-puddles that are left by 

 the retreating tide. They seemed always extremely bold, and would permit a very close 

 approach without exhibiting any alarm. 



The food of the Hooded Crow is almost wholly of an animal nature, and consists 

 of small quadrupeds, carrion of every kind, worms, insects, marine animals, and the 

 miscellaneous mass of animal substances which are cast up by the tide and left upon 

 shore. Limpets form a considerable portion of its food, and are detached from the rock, 

 to which they chug so tightly, by an adroit peck and wrench of the bill. Sometimes it 

 is said that the poor Crow is not quick enough in its movements, and is held so firmly 

 to the rock by the alarmed limpet, that it is retained in that unpleasant position until 

 the returning tide overwhelms both mollusc and bird. 



Mussels and cockles are also favourite dainties ^\^th the Hooded Crow, which, 

 however, is unable to open their tightly closed shells with its beak, and has recoui^se 



