CORVULTUR ALBICOLLIS. 417 
Adult female—Similar to the male. Total length, 17:5 inches ; 
culmen, 2°5; wing, 13°9; tail, 7-3; tarsus, 2°4. 
Young.—Similar to the adults, but more dusky, especially on the 
throat and abdomen; the neck white and breast dull white, with 
dusky edgings to a great many of the feathers. 
Fig. Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afr. IT, pl. 53. 
399. CorvuLTUR ALBICOLLIS, Lath. White-necked Raven. 
Corvus albicollis, Layard, B. 8. Afr. p. 167. 
This large Raven, which goes by the name in the colony of the 
* Ring-hals”’ (Ring-neck), is abundant throughout the colony. It was 
procured by Victorin at the Kuysna, and we have seen specimens 
from different localities. On his journey through the Matabele 
country, Mr. T. HE. Buckley states that it was common, affecting the 
open places and neighbourhood of towns more than the bush 
country, and Dr. Exton procured it at Kanye. Beyond the places 
mentioned above, we have received specimens from Capt. Trevelyan 
at Kingwilliamstown, and it was met with by Mr. Rickard both at 
Port Elizabeth and East London. 
It is very partial to the sea-side, where it preys largely on the 
rejectamenta of the waves, especially on the animal of the Paper 
Nautilus (Argonauta argo) ; and we are informed that it is rare to 
get one of these shells perfect, unless it should happen to be thrown 
up at the very feet of the seeker, so keen is the appetite of these 
birds for them. It also frequents mountains not far from the sea. 
It is frequently seen about Table Mountain, descending from thence 
to the shores of the bay in the morning and returning at night, but 
always flying at a great height over the town. 
It is a constant visitor at the “ outspan” places along the “ hard- 
road,” and on the road itself, where it examines the droppings of 
the animals that pass along it, and picks the bones of those that die. 
lt will attack weakly lambs and young antelopes, and it is said to 
do much mischief in this manner. Of course, it shares with the 
Vultures in all their feasts, remaining to the last to pick up the small 
fragments that escape the notice of its larger confreres. 
It breeds in the most lonely precipices, and its eggs are very hard to 
get even if the nest is discovered. Mr. Atmore sends eggs, however, 
which are of the usual crow-egg colour, pale green profusely mottled 
with dark brownish-green blotches, somewhat confluent at the obtuse 
end. Axis 1” 11'”; diam, 1’’ 3’... Mr. Harford also sent us an egg 
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