CARRION-CROW. 



543 



both these birds are generally larger than those of the Rook and smaller 

 than those of the Raven. 



When the young are hatched, the old birds become even more trouble- 

 some to the gamekeeper and the hen-wife ; and until they are able to fly, 

 the neighbourhood is scoured iu search of food for them. The Carrion- 

 Crow only rears one brood in the year ; and the young are soon left to 

 forage for themselves. Although the Carrion-Crow is a resident in this 

 country, its numbers are evidently increased in autumn by birds from 

 Holland. In Norfolk they are said to be regular spring and autumn 

 migrants; and it is only in this character that they probably appear 

 in parties on our eastern coasts. 



The Carrion-Crow has the entire plumage black, glossed on the upper 

 parts, wings, and throat with purple and green. Bill black; legs, feet, 

 and claws black ; irides brown. The female does not differ from the male 

 in colour ; but young birds differ from their parents in having no gloss on 

 the plumage. The Carriou-Crow may be distinguished from the Rook by 

 its much stouter bill, by the prevailing green instead of violet gloss to the 

 plumage, and by never having the base of the bill denuded of feathers. 

 In the Carrion-Crow the nostrils are always covered with thick bristly 

 feathers. 



