348 



HOODED CROW. 



the CockchafFer (Scarabaeus Melolontha. Lin.j 

 which they are generally in^quest of during their 

 visits to ploughed fields. " Rooks/' says Mr. 

 Pennant, " are sociable birds, going only in pairs : 

 they begin to build their nest in March; one bring- 

 ing materials, whik the other watches the nest, 

 lest it should be plundered by the brethren: they 

 lay the same number of eggs as the Crow, and of 

 the same colour, but less: after the breeding-sea- 

 son they forsake their nest-trees, and for some 

 time go and rest elsewhere; but return to them 

 in August: in October they repair their nests.'* 

 According to Willughby the cock and hen sit by 

 turns. The Rook is a native of most of the tem- 

 perate European regions, and is often observed to 

 intermingle with flights of the Common or Carrion 

 Crow. 



HOODED CROW. 



Corvus Cornix. C. canus, capite jugulo alis caudaque nigris. 



Grey Crow, v/ith black head, throat, wings, and tail. 



Corvus Cornix. C. cinerascens, capite jugulo alis caudaque 



nigris, Lin, Syst. Nat, 

 La Corneille raantelee. Buff, ois. 

 The Royston Crow. TVill. orn. 

 Hooded Crow. Venn. Brit. Zool. Lath, syut 



This species, which is at least equal, if not rather 

 superior in size to the Rook, is readily distinguish- 

 ed by its colours; being of an elegant pale grey, 

 with the head, throat, wings, and tail glossy blue- 



