CORVIDJ4. 153 



CONIROSTRES. 

 CORVID.E. 



188. Corvultur albicollis (Lath.). Southern Corbivau. 



Le Corbivau, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 50. 



Corvus albicollis, Layard's Cat. No. 330. 



Archicorax albicollis, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 371. 



This Raven-like-looking bird is not, to my knowledge, 

 an inhabitant of Damara Land, but is abundant in the 

 southern portion of Great Namaqua Land, where it 

 remains throughout the year. It is generally found 

 singly or in pairs, but sometimes congregates in flocks. 

 It perches indiscriminately on rocks and trees, and may 

 occasionally also be seen perched on the backs of cattle 

 and of many species of wild animals, whose hides it 

 examines in search of parasitic insects; it, however, 

 passes most of its time upon the ground, where it stalks 

 about with ludicrous gravity, uttering at intervals cries 

 not unlike those of a true Raven. Carrion probably 

 constitutes its chief nourishment ; but it is said also to 

 attack with ferocity and success the young of the smaller 

 quadrupeds. The flight of this species is powerful ; and 

 it occasionally rises to a great height. 



The iris is hazel-brown, the bill very dark brown, but 

 with the tips of the mandibles of a white horn-colour ; 

 the legs and toes are brownish black. 



[Mr. Andersson's last collection did not contain a specimen of 

 this species ; but there can be no doubt of the correctness of his 

 identification of it. ED.] 



