COEYUS. 15 



of the northern hemisphere. The race from the plains of India, on 

 the other hand, a dweller in an enervating tropical atmosphere, has 

 dwindled down to a size which it is hard to match from the same 

 series. Yet between the immense bird of Sikhim and the smallest 

 bird qf the plains it is by no means difficult to interpolate others 

 from- Europe and Africa which serve to bridge the difference of 

 size. It therefore seems impossible to separate the Ravens of 

 the whole world into two or more species. 



If the Ravens of India alone are examined, it is not difficult to 

 assign differential characters to two species. Not only is size suffi- 

 cient, but the character and shape of the hackles of the throat, which 

 I now figure, would suffice to diagnose them. As the matter 

 stands, however, I unite them into one species, although I do so 

 with considerable hesitation. 



Distribution. The Raven is found throughout the Himalayas at 

 altitudes generally of above 14,000 feet. It does not appear to be 

 found below this level till the plains of the north-west are reached. 

 Here a smaller and dull-coloured race occurs. This race is found 

 throughout Sind, the Punjab, Bahawalpur, Bickaneer, the northern 

 portions of Jodhpore and Jeypore, extending as far as Sambhar, 

 where it appears to be common. In some portions of the above 

 area it is said to be migratory and a winter visitor, but in the greater 

 portion of the tract it remains to breed. 



The Raven is found in nearly every part of the northern hemi- 

 sphere. 



Habits <$fc. The Raven of the Himalayas and the Raven of Europe 

 are shy, wary birds, seldom approaching civilized surroundings. 

 The Raven of, the North-west of India, on the other hand, appears 

 to have all the habits of the Common Crow, attending camps and 

 villages and going about without fear, but with the usual wariness 

 of his tribe. Hume has noticed how a large number of Ravens die 

 annually in the autumn on their first arrival in Sind from no 

 apparent cause. Blanford informs me that the Sind Raven 

 utters a most peculiar bell-like note besides the usual guttural 

 cry. 



The Raven of the North-west breeds from December to March. 

 It constructs a large nest of sticks near the top of a tree standing 

 in a field or in open jungle. The eggs are usually five in number 

 and are greenish or pale blue, marked with blackish brown, olive, 

 and pale purple. They measure 1-94 by T31. 



Mandelli obtained the nest of the Sikhim bird high up towards 

 the snows, containing four eggs. The date on which the nest was 

 found is not stated. 



2. Corvus umbrinus. The Brown-necked Raven. 



Corvus umbrinus, Hedenb. Sundev. (Efv. k. Vet.-Akad. Forh. Stockh. 

 1838, p. 199; Sharpe, Cat, B. M. iii, p. 17; Hume, S. F. vii, 

 p. 120; id. Cat. no. 660 bis ; Barnes, Birds Bom. p. 251. 



