373 Winged Vermin. 



the amount of destruction it will commit among game 

 of all kinds. The nests of small birds, placed in any 

 position liable to observation, are quite likely to be emptied 

 of their contents by these feathered vermin. Rabbits of 

 any size or age are captured, and, being captured, eaten, 

 the favourite ruse seeming to be a quick rise from one side 

 of a hedge, swooping down on the quarry already marked 

 on the other at least, I have repeatedly observed it so 

 in addition to many other stealthy ways worthier of a 

 poaching cat. There is no doubt that in a similar manner 

 to this crows kill young partridges, besides fair-sized 

 leverets, but this it is difficult to prove, for, in addition to 

 having a habit of hiding to some extent the remains of its 

 victims, the action of a crow when consuming a bird is so 

 indistinguishable from its usual mode of behaviour that it 

 would excite no special notice. It is, however, among the 

 young of game that the crow's mischievous habits prove 

 most objectionable, and although the magpie and jay are 

 remarkably obnoxious, the crow runs them very close as a 

 destroyer of eggs. If one of these marauders discover a 

 nest, whether being in actual search of food or in hurried 

 flight, it will drop down to mark its prey, and return 

 speedily at the first available opportunity. 



Young birds oftenest fall victims to the crow's 

 rapacity when sufficiently old to leave their parents 

 temporarily during the daytime, only going back to their 

 protection at intervals and at night. Under such circum- 

 stances crows pick up a good number of young partridges 

 and pheasants, and, perhaps, even more than the magpie 

 or jay, for if this bird has a preference it is for young 

 game of the age indicated. Game-chicks and wild duck- 

 lings when first allowed to roam about the rearing-field, 

 are very liable to be captured, killed, and carried off by 

 the Carrion Crow ; indeed, in some districts extreme 



