2 BLACK BIRDS. 



with the Rooks, but the Starlings in a separate body. 

 Out of the breeding season Eooks retire at sundown 

 to roost together in large communities. 



RAVEN — ta inches ; has long, loosely hanging feathers at 



the throat. 

 JACKDAW — 14 inches ; shorter bill, and gray nape. 

 CARRION CROW— 19 inches. Usually solitary or in pairs. 

 HOODED CROW— 19 inches j body gray. 

 CHOUGH— 16 inches ; red bill and feet. 



None of these birds has the patch Of naked grayish-white 

 skin at the base of the bill as in the Rook. 



RAVEN. — Form, resembling the Hooded Crow 

 (plate 8). Length, 24 inches, and therefore the 

 largest of the Crow tribe. Plumage entirely black 

 and lustrous ; bill black and massive, closely feathered 

 up to the base ; feet also black ; long, lobsely hang- 

 ing feathers at the throat forming the so-called 

 ' hackles.' Resident. 



Eggs. — 3-5, or more, greenish-blue, blotched with 

 olive-brown ; 1-9 x 1-32 inch (plate 121). 



Nest. — Of sticks, heather, &c., lined with wool, 

 fur, and hair, and placed on cliffs or in trees. 



Distribution. — High cliffs of the south coast of 

 England, North Devon and Welsh coasts, Scotch coast 

 and the Scottish Islands, and in the wilder parts of 

 Ireland ; also inland in hill-country. Rare every- 

 where. 



Like all the Crows a walking bird, hopping excep- 

 tionally. When disturbed it rises with effort, flying 

 with slow, heavy wing-stroke. Ravens nest in soli- 

 tary pairs on the high cliffs, and at times in trees in 



