The Crow Family. 13 



readily out of doors in this country ; but no instance 

 of their having nested in confinement has ever come 

 to my knowledge, though in a suitable place I see no 

 reason why they should not do so. 



In the matter of diet they are very accommodating, 

 and have a special predilection for picking a bone : 

 all is fish that comes to their net, and the aviarist 

 will not have much difficulty in providing for their 

 wants, as they will thrive on any kind of scraps from 

 their owner's table. 



If lodged in a cage, this must be of considerable 

 dimensions and be carefully attended to, for other- 

 wise the Piping Crow, on account of its size and the 

 miscellaneous nature of its diet, would soon render 

 uninhabitable the place where it was kept. In a large 

 outdoor aviary, however, there would not be the same 

 objection, and, everything considered, that is the best 

 position for such a bird, or it may be allowed the 

 free range of a garden if one of its wings is clipped. 



The female does sbt greatly differ in appearance 

 from her mate, but is rather smaller, and the white 

 portions of her plumage are more or less tinged with 

 grey ; she can pipe, and will learn to talk and whistle 

 almost as well as the male. 



THE HUNTING CROW, Cissa -venatoria, is one of the 

 most beautiful members of this group of birds, as well 

 as one of the most interesting : it is a native of India, 

 and is occasionally imported in considerable numbers, 

 but appears to be rather delicate, and does not 

 usually survive its captivity for any length of time. 



In size, the Hunting Crow about equals our English 

 Magpie, but has a shorter tail; its strong beak and 



