(i Wee 
Where will you find a bird so richly endowed with fertile imagi- 
nation, richness of intellect and a reasoning disposition. Leaving 
aside the low tricks some of its fraternity are guilty of. It seems 
to possess ; but a poor share of instinct, for it cannot build evena 
decent nest, and requires great mental calculations before it can 
discover the egg, that the wily koel (Z. Orientalis 214) has just 
found a quiet haven for. Taking these draw backs into considera- 
tion, how amazing was the selection of name splendens. In placing 
this the commonest of birds in the front rank of intelligence. Before 
passing from this species, I shall give an instance of marked reason- 
ing ability found in these birds. It is only one of many, which 
could be enumerated. Whilst I was at Delhi, some years ago, in a 
house on the banks of the Ganges, a violent thunder storm burst 
over the city, late in the afternoon. Most of the crows which hun- 
ted for food, during the day, experienced insurmountable difticulties, 
in face of this tornado, in crossing the river, where the avenue of 
tall trees, some half a mile, further, held nests full of hungry young 
crows. They, the city crows, marshalled themselves on the south 
bank of the river, formed in a compact single file, and took their 
instructions and advice from certain veterans, leaders among them. 
First they rose and flew high in the air, as it were at a given signal, 
in remarkably fine order, line-of-battle ; but the strongest fliers did 
not get beyond the middle of the river, half a dozon might have 
proceeded to battle with the elements, but these turned, on seeing 
their comrades driven back. Then they stood on the Delhi shore, 
once again, and held a hurried counsel of war, for a brief space, 
consisting of a good deal of cawing, whilst aides-de-camp, on the hop, 
or side skipping, fly briskly down the line, conveying the general’s 
orders. After all had rested from fatigues of the last flight, as their 
late, gaping beaks, had graphically indicated, how hard had been the 
struggle, the signal was given, and up they flew once more, with 
fresh determination ; but with similar results. I counted about six 
such attempts, how many had occurred previous to this, I cannot 
say. Dusk of evening was fast approaching; little ones in the 
rookery were hungry; the storm raged as fiercely as ever; the 
river had not yet been crossed. Another hurried council of war - 
was held ; another batch of fresh orders were given for a last mighty 
effort for the final onset. There must be no doubts about the 
matter this time ; to my surprise and of those. who watched the 
contest with me, from the wooden balcony overlooking the river, at 
a given signal all rose barely off the ground, as they progressed over 
the river their legs at times, seemed to touch the surface of the 
water. On they toiled. It was noticeable that at an apparently 
slight lull in the storm, the signal to fly was given. It was doubt- 
Jess a brave attempt. Many casualties seemed certain. On they 
