coiivrs. 23 



(2) Corvus corax tibetanus. 



The Tibet liAVE?^^. 



Corvns tibetanus Ilodgs., Ann. Mag. N. H., (2) iii, p. 203 (1849) 



(Tibet;. 

 Corvus corax. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 14. 



Vernacular names. Tlie Tibet Raven, Jerd. ; Nel-a-ivah (Tibetan). 



Description. A much bigger, more powerful bird than the 

 Punjab Jiaveu, with a bigger bill and the lanceolate hackles of the 

 throat much longer and more pointed than in that bird. 



Measurements. Wing from about 480 to 530 mm., nearly 

 always between 490 and 510 mm. Culmen about 80 mm. and 

 running up to 85 mm. 



Distribution. The Himalayas from Kashmir to Eastern Tibet, 

 including iSikkini, Bhutan and the hills north of the Braliniaputra 

 in Assam. 



Nidification. The breeding season of this fine Raven appears to 

 be from early March to the middle of April and the eggs are 

 generally laid whilst the whole country is still under snow. It 

 appears to nest both in cliffs and in stunted trees and is not un- 

 common on the great Gyantse Plateau at 12,000 to 14,000 feet, 

 nesting on the willows and thorn-trees. Mandelli also took its 

 nest in Sikkim. The eggs number three to five in a clutch and 

 taken as a series are very difterent from those of Q\t\\evlaurencei or 

 TuficoUis. In general colour they are very dull, brown eggs ; the 

 groimd-colour is much less blue or green-blue and the markings 

 are more numerous, yet smaller and less bold in character. 



Twenty eggs average 49 "0 x 35- G mm. A broader, bigger egg 

 than that laid by either of our other Indian Ravens, though we 

 have but few to judge from. 



Habits. The Tibet liaven is a bird of lofty regions, being met 

 with up to 18,000 feet in the summer and seldom below 9,000 feet 

 even in mid-winter. Its note is said to be a harsher, deeper croak 

 than that of the Punjab liaven, and ov^er most of its range it is a 

 much shyer, vvilder bird, tliough it is said to haunt the vicinity of 

 villages in Tibet. It was also reported as common all along the 

 route taken by the Military Expedition to Lhassa, frequenting 

 the camps, feeding on the animals that died on the march and 

 acting as regular scavengers. 



(&) Corvus corax ruficollis. 



The Broavx-necked Eaten, 



Corvus ruJicoUis Lesson, Traite d'Orn., p. 329 (1831) (Africa). 

 Corvus nmbrinus. Blanf. & Gates, i, p. 15. 



Vernacular names. None recorded. 



Description. Differs from other Indian forms of liaven in 



