154 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



189. CorvUS SCapulatuS, Daud. Scapulary Crow. 



La Corneille & scapulaire blanc, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 53. 

 Corvus scapulatus, Layard's Cat. No. 331. 



Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 404. 



Sliarpe's Cat. No. 541. 



This species is found in Damara and Great Namaqua 

 Land, and also in the Lake-regions, but is rather a local 

 bird. It is a regular scavenger, being always present 

 where offal is to be had, and at times resorting in num- 

 bers to the bays and inlets of the coast in search of 

 carrion thrown up by the waves ; indeed its scent and 

 sight for carrion rival those of the Vultures, and it is 

 not unfrequently seen about a carcass before even a 

 single Vulture has appeared. It is quite fearless, and 

 will approach a person within a few steps, but, if once 

 shot at, displays considerable cunning and caution. 

 From its commonness and sociability its presence is often 

 disregarded ; and it avails itself of such opportunities to 

 carry off any pieces of meat and fat which may chance 

 to be within its reach ; but such little depredations 

 are amply compensated by its usefulness as a scavenger, 

 and also in ridding domestic as well as wild animals 

 from the fearfully bloodthirsty ticks which infest their 

 hides. 



Some of the notes of this Crow, more especially 

 on a raw misty morning, are absurdly singular and 

 ridiculous. 



In the heat of the day nearly all the birds of this 

 kind found in a limited locality will join in circling 

 round and round for hours together, sometimes ascending 

 to a very great height. 



