with ulterior intentions in regard to the eggs; but one of the Gulls saw him, and immediately flew at him and knocked him over:  what the end of the fight was I could not tell, but probably the Crow got the worst of it, as several other Gulls went off to join their companion as soon as they heard the row; and the Crows trespassed no more on the domain of the Gulls—­at least whilst I was there, which was some time.

Professor Ansted includes the Crow in his list, but only marks it as occurring in Guernsey and Sark.  There is no specimen in the Museum.

78.  HOODED CROW. Corvus cornix, Linnaeus.  French, “Corbeau mantele,” “Corneille mantelee.”—­The Hooded Crow can only be considered an occasional autumnal and winter visitant.  I have never seen it myself in the Islands, though many of my visits to Guernsey have been in the autumn.  Mr. Couch, however, reports a small flock of Hooded Crows being in Guernsey in November, 1873, one of which was obtained.  Mr. MacCulloch writes me word that the Hooded Crow is a very rare visitant, and only, as far as he knows, in very cold weather; and he adds—­“It is strange that we should see it so rarely, as it is very common about St. Maloes.”  Colonel l’Estrange, however, informed me that one remained in Sark all last summer—­that of 1877—­and paired with a common Crow,[13] but we could see nothing of the couple this year.  I believe it is not at all uncommon for these birds to pair in Scotland and other places where both species are numerous in the breeding-season, but this is the only instance I have heard of in the Channel Islands—­in fact, it is the only time I have heard of the Hooded Crow remaining on till the summer.

The Hooded Crow is included in Professor Ansted’s list, and marked as occurring in Guernsey and Sark; and there are two specimens in the Museum.

79.  ROOK. Corvus frugilegus, Linnaeus.  French, “Freux”, “Corbeau Freux.”—­I have never seen the Rook in the Islands myself, even as a stranger, but Mr. Gallienne in his notes to Professor Ansted’s list, says, speaking of Guernsey, “The Rook has tried two or three times to colonise, but in vain, having been destroyed or frightened away.”  Mr. MacCulloch also writes me word much to the same effect, as he says “I have known Rooks occasionally attempt to build here (Guernsey), but they are invariably disturbed by boys and guns, and driven off.  They sometimes arrive here in large flocks in severe winters.”

The Rook is mentioned in Professor Ansted’s list as occurring in Guernsey only, and there are two specimens in the Museum, both probably Guernsey killed.

80.  MAGPIE. Pica rustica, Scopoli.  French, “Pie”, “Pie ordinaire.”—­The Magpie is resident and tolerably common in Guernsey, breeding in several parts of the Island; it is also resident, but I think not quite so common, in Sark.  I do not remember having seen it in Alderney, and the almost entire absence of trees would probably prevent it being anything more than an occasional visitant to that Island.