168 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



latter white ; a few white feathers occasionally divide the 

 bronze of the breast from the black of the abdomen ; bill 

 large, curved, and white at the tip. Length, 1' S" ; of wing, 

 1' 5". 



This fine crow is abundant throughout the colony. It is very partial 

 to the sea-side, where it preys largely on the rejectamenta of the waves, 

 especially on the animal of the Paper Nautilus (Argonauta Argo); and 

 I am informed that it is rare to get one of these shells perfect, unless 

 it should happen to be thrown up at the very feet of the seeker, so 

 keen is the appetite of these birds for them. It also frequents moun- 

 tains not far from the sea. It is frequently seen about Table Moun- 

 tain, descending from thence to the shores of the bay in the morning 

 and returning at night, but always flying at a great height over the 

 town. 



It is a constant visitor at the " outspan " places along the " hard- 

 road/' and on the road itself, where it examines the droppings of the 

 animals that pass along it, and picks the bones of those that die. It 

 will attack weakly lambs and young antelopes, and it is said to do 

 much mischief in this manner. Of course, it shares with the vultures 

 in all their feasts 4 remaining to the last to pick up the small fragments 

 that escape the notice of its larger confreres. 



331. CorVUS ScapUlatUS, Baud. ; Tr. d'Orn, II., p. 

 232, PI. ErJ. 327 ; La Gorneille d Scapulaire Blanc, 

 VaiL, PI. 53 ; Bonte Kraai of Colonists, lit. Parti- 

 coloured Crow. 



GENERAL colour, black, with purple reflections ; head rather 

 bronzed ; a large patch between the shoulders, chest, and 

 belly white ; vent black. Length, 1' 7" ; wing, 1' 2" ; tail, 

 7" &". 



This is the commonest crow of the Western country, and is sparsely 

 distributed over the whole colony. It is usually found about the high 

 roads, seeking its food in the same manner as C. Albicollis. In some 

 districts, chiefly those where C. Segetum is most common, it is rarely 

 seen. It makes its nest in trees, or on rocks ; and its eggs, sometimes 

 six in number, are light verditer blue, profusely spotted, chiefly at the 

 obtuse end, with brown : axis, I" 9'"-, diam., V. 



332. CorVUS Segetum, Temm. ; Cuv, Vol. 7, p. 

 175; La Gorneille du Cap, Le VaiL, -PL 52 ; G. 

 Macropterus, Wagl. ; C. Le Vaillantii, Less. ; Koren- 

 land Kraai of Colonists, lit. Cornland-Crow. 



ENTIRELY black, with purple reflections. Length, 1' 7" ; 

 wing, T 1', 



This species never approaches Cape Town ; but appears to be other- 

 wise generally distributed. I have seen it in considerable numbers 

 near Caledon, and the Knysna, and have received it from Kuruman. 

 A single specimen also occurs in a -collection recently made in Damara- 



