THE HOODED CROW. 
133 
in trinmpli. After a few months, no attempt was made to 
cany the egg before breaking.* 
This egg-loving thief will even condescend to rob the nests 
of the smallest birds. A few summers ago I found a Eock 
Pipit’s nest near the top of a cliff, and left it there while I 
went to follow a Whimbrel, at the same time remarking that 
a Hooded Crow was watching me from a neighbouring rock. 
On my return, a Hoodie, which I supposed to be the very 
same, got up from the Pipit’s nest, and on examining the latter 
I found it empty. How the spot could have been so accurately 
marked, or what could have induced the bird to visit it, must be 
decided by those who can better explain its freaks and fancies. 
Although, upon some occasions, so determined an enemy to 
poultry, it is only too glad to feed in their company round the 
cottage doors in winter time, when dispirited and weakened 
by cold and hunger. It apparently prefers animal food to all 
other, but it also feeds largely upon corn, doing no small 
damage to the sheaves in the field and the stacks in the yard ; 
but I do not thinlv it prefers shell-fish to fish proper, although 
so often seen feeding upon them. On the shore it seeks for 
moUusca of various kinds, as well as for small crabs and 
for echini, the latter being often of considerable size. Its 
habit of breaking shells by letting them fall from a height 
upon the rocks is well known on most parts of the coast. Not 
only shells but bones also are treated in this manner, the bird 
rising to the hifight of about fifty feet, sometimes much less, 
and then letting them fall, following them very closely in 
their descent. I have read a most vivid description of the 
process, concluding with an appropriate remark upon the 
wonderful instinct which leads the bird to select a spot suit- 
able for the performance, and likewise upon the marvellous 
accuracy of its aim. Perhaps my opportunities have been less 
* The egg of the Cormorant has, however, a soft chalky outer surface, nor 
does that of the Puffin possess the smoothness which characterises the eggs of 
gallinaceous birds. Hence, no doubt, the greater ease with which the one 
kind of egg can be carried away, as affording a readier grip for the bill. — E d. 
