Capt. Bravaii on variotis Indian Birds. 1G5 



XTII. — Notes on Various Indian Birds. 



By R. C. Beavan, Capt. Bengal Staff Corps, C.M.Z.S. 



[Contiuued from p. 85.] 



657. CoRVus coRAX. European Raven. 



Numbers of these birds may be found around Umballali in the 

 cold weather ; most of them disappear again, but some remain 

 to breed. I found a nest in a large Banyan [Ficus indica), on the 

 Native Infantry Parade-ground at Umballah, on the 28th March, 

 1866. It contained a nearly fledged young one, which was 

 kept by my brother for some time as a pet. One of the old 

 birds procured on that day measured as follows : — Length 24" 75 ; 

 wing 16*5; tarsus 2*5; extent 24; bill from front 3, height of 

 bill at base 1*25; middle toe and claw 2; tail 9'625, cunei- 

 form — the outer feathers shorter than the rest by 1. Irides 

 dark brown. 



660. CoRVus cuLMiNATus*. Indian Corby. 



I shot a Crow in the act of chasing some small birds on the 

 top of Mount Tongloo in 1862, which Mr. Blyth referred to 

 this species ; but I am inclined to doubt that it was so, on ac- 

 count of the elevation of the locality (10,000 ft.) . It is common 

 both at Barrackpore and in Maunbhoom, where it breeds in 

 March, making a nest of sticks, and laying generally three eggs, 

 like those of the English Book, but perhaps more elongated, 

 measuring 1*5625 by 1'1875. 



This bird is very fond of " discoursing,^^ if I may so term it : 

 he comes and sits on a bough over one's tent, and talks away to 

 himself in the most amusing manner, giving utterance to a 

 variety of queer and, to us, incomprehensible sounds. 



661. CoRvus iNTERMEDiusf. Black Hill-Crow. 



This is the common species at Simla, and takes the place 

 there of C. culminatus of the plains, than which it is decidedly 



* [We are indebted to Lord Walden for a reference to Dr. Pucheran's 

 statement (R. Z. 1853, p. 547), from which it appears that this name, be- 

 stowed by Col. Sykes in 1832, must give way to that of C. levaillanti, 

 given to the species in 1831 by Lesson (Tr. d'Orn. p. 328). — Ed.] 



t [Prof. Schlegel (Mus. P.-B., Coraces, p. 16) is inclined to refer this 

 species to the preceding ; but we are informed by Lord Walden that he 

 regards it as decidedly distinct. — Ed.] 



