CORVULTUR CRASSIROSTRIS 139 



The Thick-billed Corbivau inhabits North-east Africa. 



It is very similar to C. albicolUs, but may be readily 

 distinguished by the entire absence of any white pectoral 

 band, while in habits these Ravens are still more alike, but 

 the present species is the northern form ranging from Somali- 

 land and Lake Kudolf, northward to Kalabat and Taka, and 

 westward to the White Nile and Kordofan. 



In Somaliland the species was first met with on the 

 plateau by Spcke, and more recently Dr. Donaldson Smith 

 procured a pair at Sheik Husein in September, 1894. Lord 

 Lovat writes : " On the Addis Abbeba plateau it is connuon, 

 its ordinary food is carrion, but it will eat the fruit of the 

 wild fig with avidity. It has a harsh guttural note." He 

 procured a specimen at Borumeda, and Mr. J. J. Harrison 

 obtained others at Loko and Dincha. In Shoa, Harris pro- 

 cured it at Angolalla, and Antinori records the species as 

 abundant in the mountains of Ankoba, and always to be met 

 with in the company of flocks and herds near Let Marefia. 

 Eiippell, who discoxered the species, mentions it as common 

 in the more elevated parts of Abyssinia, but according to Dr. 

 Blanford, it is locally distributed there. A"on Heuglin found 

 it feeding in the market places of the native towns, and during 

 the Galla war in 18(J"2, appeared on the battle fields in com- 

 pany with Vultures and Kites, and he records it from as far 

 north as Taka. 



In March he found a nest placed in the crevice of a 

 precipitous rock overhanging a waterfall in Wogara, and was 

 entirel}- hidden b\' the creepers which grexx' over it. This 

 Raven, he further remarks, rarely perches on trees, but mostly 

 frequents the open countr}', where it takes up its position on 

 some rock or stump, and although not shy, is exceedingly 

 cunning, like most of its allies. 



In Mr. Ogilvie-Grant's list of the late Mr. W. G. Doggett's 



