The CHOUGH, or MOUNTAIN CROW (_Fregilus graculus_) is distinguished by
the peculiar formation of its long, thin, arched beak, which, like its
short-toed foot, is of a brilliant scarlet colour. The eyes are dark
brown, and the plumage of an uniform glossy blueish black. This species
is about fifteen inches long and thirty-one inches across; the wing
measures ten and a half inches, and the tail five and a half inches. The
female is scarcely distinguishable from her mate, but the young are known
by their black feet and beak; after the first moulting, however, they
resemble the older birds.
Almost all the mountains of Europe afford a home to these Crows, which
are met with in considerable numbers in Scotland, in Cornwall, and in
Wales: in Spain they are very abundant, but are comparatively rare
among the Swiss Alps. In most of the mountains that they frequent they
occasionally ascend to the summits of the loftiest peaks, and are usually
found as high as the snow-line, descending to the valleys in severe
winters. Travellers in these mountain regions often hear the voices of
thousands of these birds from amongst the rocks, and those who take
the trouble to observe their movements soon perceive that they appear
with a certain kind of regularity in the same localities, generally
leaving their sleeping-place early in the morning to search for food,
and returning about nine o'clock to their perch; before noon they again
leave, and again return to pass the mid-day hours in the holes with
which their favourite haunts abound, keeping, however, a vigilant watch
against intruders, even when enjoying their noontide rest, and giving
warning of any approaching danger with loud and piercing cries; nor are
these precautions by any means superfluous, seeing that Hawks and others
of their enemies are always on the alert to seize an unwary straggler,
which, on such occasions, usually endeavours to hide itself by creeping
into the depths of some adjacent hole. In the afternoon the whole party
again goes several times in search of food, and returns at night to sleep
upon the usual perch. According to Bolle, this species is rarely seen in
the Canary Islands; and, indeed, many other spots which would appear to
offer it a most desirable home, are, most unaccountably, never visited
by this shy and unenterprising bird. It is only when we learn upon what
food the Chough subsists that we appreciate the full value of its many
services; for it lives principally upon insects, grasshoppers, spiders,
and, in Spain, it also devours scorpions in large numbers, raising the
stones under which such creatures live by the aid of its beak, or digging
up the ground in search of them.
The breeding season commences early in spring; the nest, which is often
very difficult to find, being placed in holes in the rock, is constructed
of dry stalks or hay, well lined with moss: the eggs, four or five in
number, are whitish or dirty yellow, marked with dark brown spots and
streaks. The female broods alone, but both parents assist in the heavy
task of feeding the young, an operation which is carried on amidst an
indescribable amount of noise and general confusion. So extremely social
are these birds that they remain in company even during the period of
incubation. Though, like other Ravens, they have doubtless little respect
for property, still, on the whole they live peacefully, even when in
large flocks, and courageously assist their companions when in danger.
Should one of the party be injured the rest immediately surround it with
every indication of sympathy, and we have known a case in which a Chough
that had broken its wing was fed by its companions until it could fly
about and obtain its own food. When tamed these birds frequently become
extremely interesting, and may be allowed to leave the cage, without any
danger of their flying away.