268 Mr. H. Whistler on the [Ibis, 



in its preparation but for years past in all branches of 

 ornithology, from Dr. Claud B. Ticehurst. To him I tender 

 my warmest acknowledgments. 



Corvus corax laurencei Hume. (3 skins.) 



The Raven is a common and resident species, generally 

 distributed throughout the district, found alike in the canal 

 areas and on the most desolate of the semi-desert plains. It 

 is always to be met with in pairs, and these probably do not 

 move about much, as year after year nests are to be found in 

 the same locality, often in the same tree. 



Seventeen nests containing eggs were examined. Three 

 of these were found in January (on the 18th, 19th, and 29th). 

 Twelve were found in February. Two were found in March 

 on the 15th and 17th. Excluding two nests with incom- 

 plete clutches, I found one clutch of 6 eggs, six clutches 

 of 5 eggs, five clutches of 4 eggs, and three clutches of 

 3 eggs. The only nest examined with young contained two 

 nestlings. 



Eleven nests were in Kikur-trees, three in Shisham, and 

 one in tamarisk. The other nests I did not see personally. 

 All nests were of the same type — large, rather untidy, stick 

 nests, thickly lined with a miscellaneous conglomeration of 

 sheeps' wool, goats' hair, camels^ hair, rags, and cotton. All 

 nests were in cultivation and none were seen out on the barren 

 plains. Some were placed in solitary trees out in the fields, 

 others in gardens or at the sides of roads ; some were in trees 

 growing over the huts round small irrigation wells, and in 

 one instance the nest was in a tree within the railway fencing. 

 These Ravens are absolutely indifferent to the presence of 

 man, and indeed afEect his neighbourhood. 



A series of 61 eggs shows considerable variation, but no 

 type which has not already been included in Hume's full 

 description of the eggs of this species. One clutch of 4 eggs 

 gives abnormally long measurements : viz.57'5 x 34,55"5 X 33, 

 55 X 33, 55 X 33*5 mm. Excluding this clutch 60 eggs yield 

 the following measurements : — Length 42*5-52-5 mm., 

 breadth 30*5-34*5 mm. : averape 47'5x 33*1 mm. 



