256 



(ASM-XL S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



Choughs hovered for months over a precipice, beneath which lay th? whitened bones of a hunter who 

 had met his death in pursuit of a chamois, and whose flesh they had eaten. Most noisy are the 

 altercations while these creatures are at their disgusting meals, which are enlivened by a constant 

 succession of vicious attempts to drive their companions from their prey. When devouring the 

 smaller birds or quadrupeds the head is first attacked in order to obtain the brains. 



The nest of the Snow Crow is but rarely found, being built in clefts or fissures of the steep rocks 

 in which they live ; it is large and flat, and is usually constructed of blades of grass. The eggs, five in 



the CHOUGH (Frcgilus gracuhis). 



number, in size resemble those of the Common Crow ; the shell is light grey, marked with spots of a 

 deeper shade. Successive generations often build upon the same place, which in time becomes so 

 thickly covered with the excreta of its numerous occupants as to form beds of guano, which are 

 largely employed as a valuable manure. When domesticated, says Savi, the Snow Crow exhibits great 

 attachment to its owner, and becomes so tame as to fly quite freely about the house. It will consume 

 almost anything eaten by the family, and prefers milk or wine to water. While eating, it seizes the 

 morsel and tears it with the claws before swallowing it, and should the supply prove too large for 

 present need the remainder is carefully put away, and hidden under scraps of paper or any available 



