Corbie

In Scotland this type of hooded crow is known as a "hoodie" or a "corbie".   It is typical to see one perched on a high branch, or on the top of a wall  - anywhere that gives a good view.  

The  very old Scottish  song "The Two Corbies" is described as being darker and more cynical that the equivalent recorded in Norfolk, which is called "The Two Ravens". 

 It is certainly dark:

As I was walking all alane,
I heard twa corbies making a mane;
The tane unto the t’other say,
‘Where sall we gang and dine the day?’

‘In behind yon auld fail dyke,
I wot there lies a new slain knight;
And naebody kens that he lies there,
But his hawk, his hound, and his lady fair.

‘His hound is to the hunting gane,
His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame,
His lady’s ta’en another mate,
So we may make our dinner sweet.

‘Ye’ll sit on his white hause-bane,
And I’ll pike out his bonny blue een;
Wi ae lock o his gowden hair,
We’ll theek our nest when it grows bare.

‘Mony an ane for him makes mane,
But nane sall ken whare he is gane;
Oer his white banes, when they are bare,
The wind sall blaw for evermair.’