58 COMMON BIRDS OF AN INDIAN GARDEN 



pieces of bread handed to them were thrown away 

 as beneath their notice. It was hard to resist the 

 temptation of occasionally teasing them by affect- 

 ing an intention of defrauding them of their special 

 tribute. If the biscuits were in evidence from the 

 outset of the entertainment, their minds were at 

 rest; but if kept hidden, it was amusing to note 

 the anxiety that gradually set in as the distribution 

 went on, and the growing doubt as to the wisdom 

 of rejecting actual bread in favour of hypothetical 

 biscuit (Plate III. 1). 



The great variety in the notes that crows are 

 masters of seems to come very near to definite 

 language ; it is more especially difficult not to 

 credit them with articulate talk when one comes 

 across a pair of them sitting for a long time side 

 by side, conversing gently in low tones, and wholly 

 absorbed in an exchange of sentiments. Crows are 

 really very handsome birds, and it is a pleasure to 

 see two of them together on the mid-rib of a 

 curving coco-nut leaf, and to note their untiring 

 and restless curiosity that rarely flags for a moment 

 save during the hottest part of an oppressive 

 summer's day. Their heads are never at rest, but 

 are ceaselessly jerking from side to side. Their 

 ear-coverts are constantly elevated, and their crests 

 every now and then are raised with an air of 

 critical attention. The metallic scale-like feathers 

 on the throat are beautiful, and are frequently 



