XCI. 

 CORVUS CORONE. (Linn.) 



Carrion Crow, Corby Crow, Black-neb, &c. 



The Corby Crow has of late been a subject of discussion 

 with Ornithologists ; Mr. Rennie maintaining that it is in the 

 habit of covering its eggs with the lining of its nest during its 

 absence, which Mr, Waterton denies. I would be unwilling 

 to contradict the statement of any one, unless with positive 

 proof to the contrary, allowing that there may be chance de- 

 viations from a general habit, and one of such deviations I 

 take the instance mentioned by Mr. Rennie, to be. I know 

 not whether he is in the habit of climbing, and, having looked 

 into a crow's nest, describes what he has himself seen. 



Mr, Waterton is truly an out-of-door naturalist, and few 

 Ornithologists enjoy such an opportunity of observing the 

 habits of birds ; living, as he does upon his own property, on 

 which all the persecuted feathered race find a refuge and a 

 home, there remain alike unmolested, and under his pro- 

 tection, the Hawk, the Owl, and the Crow ; he is no copyist, 

 and gives his facts from his own personal observation. It 

 has long been a propensity with me, (and one from which I have 

 derived much pleasure,) to look into every bird's nest that comes 

 within my reach ; and, to gratify this propensity, I have rarely 

 passed the nest of a Magpie, or Crow, without becoming ac- 

 quainted with their contents. I have thus climbed to some 

 dozens of Crows' nests, but never yet met with one, the eggs 

 of which were covered. 



The Crow builds its nest in trees, sometimes in a thick fir ; 

 it is built of sticks, strongly cemented together with clay ; it is 

 then lined with roots, and afterwards with a large quantity of 

 wool, pieces of fur, and any other soft material, often two or 

 three inches thick. The eggs are four or five in number, and 

 though very much resembling tliose of the Rook, are mostly 



B 



