CROW TRIBE. 
3 2 5 
The round and open nest is formed of twigs and leaves, with a softer lining; the 
three or four eggs are of a bluish white ground-colour, which may often have a 
reddish tinge, upon which are large blotches of brownish red or light chestnut- 
brown. It is noteworthy that although these birds seem always to thrive in 
captivity, yet their vocal powers in that state vary considerably, some specimens 
pouring forth the full song, while others sing only in a subdued undertone. 
BED-BILLED, AND ALPINE CHOUGH ( r j liat. size). 
The two species of the genus Graculus, while resembling the 
The Choughs. ^ ^ crows in form and coloration, differ in possessing long and pointed 
wings, as well as in the comparatively slender beak. Unlike other crows, they have 
a smooth metatarsus, and the feet and beak brightly coloured. Of the two species, 
the common or red-billed chough (G. eremita ) 1 ranges from Western Europe to China 
and Eastern Siberia, being no less at home in the deserts of Ladak than on the cliffs 
1 Wlien tlie generic name Graculus is adopted for these birds, the common species is generally termed G. graculus, 
but this is a combination the Editor cannot admit, and the alternative Linnean name is therefore taken. 
