CHOUGH. 
CORVUS GRACULUS. 
UP to the present date I hare met with few opportunities for closely studying the habits of this species I 
enabled positively to identify the bird on the south-east coast of Scotland, though they were sard 
was never 
be occasionally met with when I first visited that district, now over twenty years ago. A pan- or tw o were now 
and then sighted at a safe distance on the wildest part of the south-west coast, where they were I believe, far 
from uncommon ; but I remained an almost total stranger to the Chough till I explored the rocky portions of 
the Cornish coast. _ .. . 
The Daw, as this bird is called by the natives (Jackdaws are known as Chaws), is now far from plcntilu 
in the county from which it takes its name ; and miles of rocky ground along the summits of tlic cliffs may be 
passed over without more than a stray bird or two being noticed. During autumn Choughs appear to keep 
away from their roosting-quarters for the whole of the day, seldom showing themselves in the vicinity of the 
place in which they intend to pass the night till the afternoon is well advanced. Owing to their scarcity, and 
the rocky and impracticable nature of the ground they frequent, I met with considerable difficulties while 
endeavouring to gain an insight into the movements of these birds. As far as I was able to ascertain, the few 
pairs that came under my observation seldom strayed far from the sea-coast, apparently following a regular 
and well-known course along the shore or over the cliffs, and only making a halt on any likely spot where food 
might present itself. Though I repeatedly examined, with the greatest care, the numerous parties of llooks 
and Jackdaws scattered over the fields within a few miles of the shore, I never detected a single Red-legged 
Crow among them. If met with at a certain hour along the coast, there was but little doubt that, within a 
few minutes of the same time, they would make their appearance on the following day. When once well 
known, Choughs are readily distinguished at a considerable distance. Their actions on the ground are more 
active, and their walk more sprightly, than those of either the Rook or Jackdaw. 
"\\ orms and grubs appear to furnish a considerable portion of their diet ; and it is seldom one will pass a 
lump of cow- or horse-dung without thoroughly investigating it. Rapidly sweeping the bill from side to side, 
the fragments are scattered in all directions. During the whole operation the bird will be bowing and scraping 
in the most amusing manner, and occasionally rising a short distance in the air, at times uttering its well- 
known cry. The flight of the Chough is also slightly different from that of his sable relatives. Though a pair 
may be noticed winging their way along the coast in a straight course, they will frequently pause, wheel 
round, and then proceed in an undulating manner, rising and falling to a considerable height ; and, both 
in the air and on the land, the Cornish Daw may be said to conduct himself with a more jaunty bearing than 
the rest of the family. 3 
I remarked that a pair which frequented the coast near Portlileven paid invariably (unless disturbed) a short 
visu during the afternoon to a sandy bay, where they remained stalking round the pools of water left bv the 
tide. What food they secured I am unable to discover. They also alighted, on more than one occasion/on a 
