PHEASANTS IN COVERT AND AVIARY 



are all hardy birds strongly inclined to pillaging nests or 

 acting prejudicially in some other manner on game preserves. 



The Hooded Crow occurs throughout Europe, through 

 Palestine into Egypt, and in Persia, as well as Afghanistan. 

 It is an autumnal visitor to England and Wales, but in 

 Scotland and Ireland common, resident and frequently 

 breeds with the Carrion Crow. 



Lord Lilford has the following remarks relating to this 

 bird :— 



" The habits of the bird are always abominable, and 

 although from the accident of its not nesting in our county, 

 we are not exposed to the detriment from this thief, to which 

 those dwelling on the other side of the Tweed are subject, 

 we have no plea to urge in the defence of the Grey Crow, 

 and hold him as a sturdy vagrant, to be summarily dealt with 

 at all times and at all places. We should be sorry to exter- 

 minate any bird ; but this one could be better spared than 

 any other with which we are acquainted." 



The Grey-backed Crow arrives about the first week in 

 October and leaves again towards the end of March, and 

 it is fortunate that these destructive birds leave during the 

 breeding season. It is most destructive to eggs of all kinds, 

 and a single pair of these horrible birds may create wholesale 

 destruction on the estate, as it has no scruples as to how it 

 gets a living. 



Its plumage is brownish-black in part, and the rest a 

 grey. The back, breast, flanks are all grey. The bill and 

 the feet black. The head, throat, upper parts of the breast, 

 wings, tail, and thighs are black, or sooty brown, the female 

 being similar to the male. It is very fond of frequenting 

 marshes near rivers, and is abundant about the coast. 



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