BIRDS. 
147 
Resident and abundant, particularly in the breeding season, 
along the coast from Clyth southwards (0. MSS., 1868), and 
marked as very common prior to 1862 (Sh. and 0. List, 
1862). 
1885. Vast numbers ; has increased greatly and occupies 
great colonies both on north coast, as far as examined to 
the westward, viz., at Holborn Ness and Ness Letter ; rarer 
between Dunnet and Mey, but common again at Huna. 
Not observed on the Pentland Skerries, but is very abun- 
dant all down the east coast in all suitable sea-cliffs. The 
above seems to constitute a considerable extension of range, 
and it will prove interesting to watch any further steps of 
advance towards the west. 
128. Corvus corone, L. Carrion Crow. 
Very rare in the east- One bird paired with a hoodie in 1878, 
and both old and young Avere subsequently killed in a wood 
near Dunrobin. At Tongue a brood is reported to appear, 
usually after the young rooks have flown, amongst the 
rooks, and this has taken place annually since 1879 inclu- 
sive. Mr. Crawford also speaks of them as breeding in 
some numbers at Kirkton, near Melvicli; and in a letter 
dated 17th of March 1884, he says: " Carrion crows are, I 
regret to say, becoming very numerous and destructive to 
game of every description." Unknown in the west. 
An accidental visitant to Caithness (H. O. MSS., 1868). 
Mr. Eeid mentions it also as having been obtained in the 
county. We heard nothing more of its presence in 1885. 
129. Corvus cornix, L. Hooded Crow. 
Resident, and too abundant ; no great additions arriving in 
autumn, as is the case further south along the east coast, the 
average numbers being almost equally sustained all the year 
round. The total returns we have received from Assynt, 
Durness, Reay Forest, and Dunrobin, etc., in nine years, are 
,3;)92, which, at Is. each of preujium, represents £169, 12s. 
