10. Corvus cornix sharpii

(10) Corvus cornix sharpii Oates.
THE EASTERN HOODED CROW.
Corvus comix sharpii, Fauna B. I., Birds, 2nd ed. vol. i, p. 32.
This Crow has not yet been found breeding within our limits but fine series of their eggs have been taken in Persia by Messrs. A. J. Currie and F. G. Petherick. The former collected mostly round Kerman and Sheraz, the latter round Yazd in Central Persia.
A note from Mr. A. J. Currie reads : “Usual stick-nest lined with roots and in one case with wool. In preference to others the Hooded Crow selects an evergreen, in Persia usually a Cypress, in which to build its nest, which it commences in March, though eggs are not usually found until April.”
Mr. Petherick records : “This crow is a scavenger, it also robs other birds’ nests and eats the eggs and young, feeds on any carcase, animal or human, and is found in large numbers in Parsi burial grounds. When there is no flesh obtainable by theft or scavenging it feeds on grain or mulberries. The nest, which is always placed in a green tree, is very bulky and is composed, of sticks, roots, dried grass, pieces of rag etc. and is lined with roots, dried grass, wool, hair and rags. It is very sociable in its habits and I have found three nests in the same tree. It lays four, five or six eggs, generally five and but seldom six, commencing to lay at the end of March and continuing up to the end of May. With us it breeds from 2,000 to 7,000 feet.”
The description given for the eggs of the Carrion-Crow would stand for the eggs of this bird also but they are as a series smaller, not quite so long and decidedly less broad. The average of 100 eggs is 43.1 x 28.5 mm. : maxima 49.3 x 26.5 and 43.8 x 30.6 mm. ; minima 37.5 x 27.0 and 49.3 x 26.5 mm.