375 Winged Vermin. 



any dead animal is to be found, the crow is able to some 

 extent to verify its cognomen of " Carrion Crow." But 

 putrid flesh is by no means so much to its liking as to 

 warrant the appellation given to it. 



The Hooded Crow, another of the Corvidce, though not 

 a common visitant in our Southern counties, is well enough 

 known in the Northern ones and in the sister countries. 

 I do not think it breeds freely in England, but on the wild 

 sea-coast of North Scotland and the adjacent isles it multi- 

 plies greatly. As far as its other habits go, it is similar 

 to the Carrion Crow, except that its taste for birds and 

 other animals, especially those of a " game " nature, is 

 greater, and consequently more obnoxious to sportsmen. 

 It is known by a great variety of names, the commonest 

 being Royston, Grey, Grey-backed, and Kentish Crow. 



Rooks. 



As previously stated, the rook and the crow are fre- 

 quently confused, though oftener perhaps than is the case 

 with any other of the feathered denizens of these isles; 

 and naturally, for to the unaccustomed eye there is literally 

 no difference in colour, size, or habit, between the two, 

 while in most counties the names are employed to both in- 

 discriminately. To the practised eye, however, the " look " 

 I know no more expressive word of the two birds is 

 different, while on close scrutiny the divergence is marked. 



The rook, as already suggested, is essentially gregarious, 

 and prefers to pass its time with as many more of its 

 species as may be compatible with harmony. It lacks a 

 good deal of the daring noticeable in the crow and other 

 congeners, but is very slightly wanting in cunning and 

 wariness. Its nesting habits are too well known to need 

 description. The rook is of a particularly active nature, 

 and is both an early riser and late in going to roost. 



