96 



to 3 inches. Sexes alike. These birds are great frequenters of 

 the Ficus Indica, Ficus religiosa, and Cactus Opuntia, for their 

 fruit. Insects also are found in the stomach. Birds lively and 

 elegant in flight. 



Fam. Corvidce, Leach. Genus Corvus, Auct. 



117. Corvus culminatus. Corv. supra splendenti-ater ; subtus 

 Jidiginoso-ater ; rostri culmine elevato. 



Longitudo corporis 14 una, caudce 7. 

 Smaller than the European Crow. These birds are remarkable 

 for their audacity. Bill with a considerable admen. 



118. Corvus splendens, Vieill. Common Crow of India. 



This is no doubt Vieillot's splendid Crov), but in the thousands 

 Colonel Sykes has met with he never saw the plumage orna- 

 mented with the pronounced green and blue in Vieillot's plate. 

 Has the noisy, impudent, and troublesome habits of the English 

 Crow. Length 18 inches, inclusive of tail of 6 inches. A 

 wounded Crow was put into the cage with a Viverra Indica, 

 in the expectation that the latter would make a meal of it. 

 The Crow however stood so vigorously on the defensive, that 

 a treaty of peace ensued, and they lived amicably together for 

 several weeks, the Crow partaking of the food of the Civet until 

 it died from its wound. 



Genus Coracias, Linn. Roller, 



119. Coracias Indica, Linn. Coracias Bengalensis, Steph. Blue Jay 



from the East Indies, Edw., pi. 326. 

 Very common in Dukhun. Called Tas, from its note, by the 

 Mahrattas. Sexes do not differ in size or plumage, hides 

 intense red brown. A grasshopper 2£ inches long was found 

 in the stomach of one bird. Length 13tV inches, inclusive of 

 tail of 4 T V inches. 



Fam. Buceridce, Leach. 

 Hornbills are by no means rare in Dukhun, but from accident 

 Colonel Sykes had not a specimen to produce. 



Tribus Scansores, Auct, 

 Fam. Psitlacidce, Leach. — Genus Palceornis, Vigors. 



120. Palceornis torquatus, Vigors. 



Appear in considerable flocks in Dukhun, and are very destruc- 

 tive to the crops, particularly to the Carthamus Persicus. Fond 

 also of the fruit of the Melia Azadirachta. The female differs 

 from the male only in wanting the collar, and has in conse- 

 quence been considered to belong to a different species. The 

 Mahrattas call the bird Ragoo and Keeruh. Length 17 \ inches, 

 inclusive of tail of 9§ inches. 



121. Palceornis melanorhynchus. Pal. viridis, corpore subtus, 



notd circumoculari, dorsoque imo pallidioribus ; capite, collo in 

 Jronte nuchdque, columbino-canis ; rostro, torqueque collari lata 



