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for all time by constructing a nest out of wires used to 

 fasten in the corks of soda-water bottles. Now 

 Bombay is very jealous of Calcutta, and the crows 

 of course ape their betters. Accordingly, the Bombay 

 birds determined not to be outdone by the Calcutta- 

 ites. A pair of the former built a nest of gold and 

 silver spectacle frames. The value of the materials 

 used in the construction of that nest was estimated 

 at Ks. 400. I believe I am correct in saying that 

 the Bombay opticians, proud though they be of 

 the local crows, do not encourage this method of 

 nest-building ; indeed, to speak precisely, they set 

 their faces steadfastly against these attempts at 

 eclipsing the deeds of the Calcutta birds. Other 

 crows which have a fancy for fire-proof nests steal 

 bits of the wire used in constructing railway fences 

 and utilise these for their nurseries. 



At one time I was innocent enough to think that 

 no Madras crow had entered for the nest-building 

 competition and went so far as to state my belief in 

 the columns of the Madras Mail. The result was a 

 number of epistles from various parts of the Presi- 

 dency, one and all, vindicating the character of the 

 Madras crow. 



