Positive correlations were found between large clutch size, low predation and early breeding in a southern Swedish population of the hooded crow C. cornix L. Clutches in very dry habitat were smaller than others. Nestlings of above average weight 1 wk before fledging suffered less mortality before independence than light ones. The probability that a nestling will starve to death is independent of the clutch size. Starvation was most common during the 1st wk of the nestling''s life. Body weight 1 wk before fledging was independent of the number of brood mates at that age. There was some evidence that pairs maintained approximately the same clutch size year to year and it is speculated that the clutch size is in some way correlated to the number of nestlings each pair can expect to raise. It is also speculated that the early starvation of nestlings is a mechanism for late adjustment of the brood to an optimal size.