48 



THE FOOD OF BIRDS IN INDIA. 



58. S. rufipes. Smaller Red-headed Crow-Tit, Bamboo 

 seeds. Tickell found it feeding on grain, maize, rice and buck- 

 wheat. Jerd. B. I., II, 6. 



59. S. atrisuperciliaris. Black-browed Crow-Tit. Grass- 

 hoppers and small beetles. B. N. H. S. J., VIII, 169. 



60. Scceorhynchus ruficeps. Larger Red-headed Crow-Tit. 

 Mostly insectivorous : rice, grain and berries. B. N. H. S. J., 

 VIII, 170. 



61. S. gularis ( = ? Megalaima caniceps). ''Those I have 

 killed had the bristles about their bills covered with gummy matter, 

 evidently from some fruit." A. S. B., XL (II), 209. 



Speaking of the food habits of the Corvidce as a class is a very 

 different matter in comparison with those of all other families of 

 the Passerine group. In nearly all other Passerine groups we find 

 that there is a general similarity of feeding habits amongst the va- 

 rious species and genera of one family, but in the case of the Corvi- 

 dae generic, and in some cases specific distinction, is essential. 



Corvince. The genus Corvus contains 



1. Ravens. Mostly carnivorous but with the general 

 habits of the crows. Such individuals as attack lambs, 

 Ravens are said to do this at times can easily be des- 

 troyed. They occur in North-West India. 



2. The Carrion-crow is comparatively rare, but is 

 in other countries generally considered as in- 

 jurious owing to the fact that it destroys a 

 considerable number of the eggs of other birds, 

 notably of game. The Rook, Crows and the Jackdaw 

 are in all probability beneficial provided that they are 

 kept within certain number limits. They are more 

 omnivorous than other members of the genus, the 

 Crows, which are the only species of importance in the 

 plains, practically eating every thing ; in fact they are 

 the most truly omnivorous birds there are. 



