234 HOODED, OR ROYSTON CROW. 
stragglers only appear. In the very north of 
Scotland, however, where, from the form of the 
land, the distance from sea to sea is comparatively 
short, it is by far the most prevailing bird, the 
other appearing gradually to decrease. In the 
south, again, they arrive with our winter birds of 
passage, frequent the shores and extensive downs 
or commons, and in spring depart again for their 
breeding quarters. They breed chiefly on cliffs, 
placing the nest on a ledge of rock, or selecting 
some stunted tree which has a suitable resting 
place. In many parts, the coast is wooded nearly 
to the water edge, and then a tree is selected ; at 
the same time, we may safely affirm, that a rugged 
rocky coast is their most favourite breeding 
station. An individual occasionally strays in- 
land, and in spring finds a mate in the Carrion 
Crow. We have repeatedly seen them breeding 
together, and could only account for it in this 
way, one or two individuals only occurring in 
the district alluded to during the winter. The 
produce is birds of intermediate plumage ; but we 
have never been able to trace them again breeding, 
or for any long period. In Ireland the habits 
are similar, and Mr Thompson writes that it is 
common, and resident through the year. Tem- 
minck remarks, that it is abundant in the eastern 
parts of Europe, which are of a mountainous 
character, but he does not mention whether it is 
particularly confined to the coast. He also states 
that it is abundant in Norway and Sweden, 
migrating, however, in winter from some of the 
