32 SPOLTA ZEYLANICA. 



batch were still in their cages, it was evident that the question of 

 mating had not been consigned to oblivion. There were at least 

 two pairs whose attitude towards each other was distinctly 

 suggestive of something more than ordinary friendship, and I also 

 noticed that one of the caged birds had an obvious preference for 

 one of those that had secured its liberty, calling regularly to 

 the outside crow, which always kept in the vicinity of the 

 cage. 



4. It may be of interest to record that upon the arrival of the 

 Ceylon crows some dozen or more of the ordinary carrion crow 

 of this country appeared on the scene and seemed to regard the 

 newcomers with considerable interest, but never made any 

 attempt to molest them in any way. Indeed, as far as I can see, 

 the Ceylon crows have nothing to fear from any natural enemies 

 in this country. I have seen kites and eagles flying round since 

 they have been here, but on no occasion have they attacked the 

 crows. I have a large number of young ducks and chickens where 

 the crows have been let loose, but they have not been disturbed 

 by their new neighbours at all, and I do not think that the crows 

 will do any mischief of this sort, as some people seem to anticipate. 

 I may mention, however, that the young ducks proved too much 

 of a temptation to the big carrion crows, which killed and carried 

 off several every day, until I was obliged at last to shoot two of 

 them. They were only wounded, and I was able to keep them in 

 one of the empty cages for some days, when one of them, having 

 evidently sustained internal injuries, died. The other, however 

 is still alive, and it has been very interesting having the two species 

 side by side for comparison. The carrion crow readily eats the 

 largest cocoanut beetles and their larvae, his powerful bill enabling 

 him to split up and devour the former with the greatest ease, 

 The Ceylon crows will also eat the larvae greedily, but cannot 

 manage the beetle unless it is ifilled and broken up for them 

 first. 



General. — I venture to think that the experiment, as far as it has 

 gone, has been an unqualified success. It has been demonstrated 

 that the crows will thrive in captivity ; that they can stand with- 

 out any serious ill-effects the long journey over to this country ; 

 that when released they do not at once fly away, but show every 

 sign of an intention to adapt themselves to their altered circum- 

 stances ; and that, when given to them, they readily eat the 

 caterpillars, the destruction of which was the reason for their 

 importation. It now remains to be seen if they will breed, and 

 should they do so I do not see what more can be expected of them, 

 for, as I have said, it is scarcely likely, while so few in numbers, 



