9652 Birds. 



exposed to view that any passer bj-^ can see them ; but he often comes 

 in for a good thrashing from the dove, and seems to know that he is a 

 rascal, as he always bolts ignominiously. During the hot weather the 

 crow seems to suffer much from the heat, for it may often be seen with 

 beak wide open, panting under the shade of a tree. In the hottest 

 part of the day the crow is silent, but at any other time, when it is 

 light, there is a continued noise kept up by some of them. 



"Splendens" is an odd specific name for this bird; I confess I 

 can see very little splendens about this scamp ; at any rate, Corvus 

 Indicus may be just as good a name. In size it is about thai of a 

 jackdaw ; colour black-brown, with a gray ash-coloured ring round 

 the neck, a deep blue shade appears on its feathers w:hen seen in the 

 sun. It inhabits all the plains of India, and is seen in some of the 

 hills, but not very far in them. Like the rook, this crow appears, at 

 certain seasons, to be taken crazy, for it darts and shoots about in the 

 air like an arrow, making a screaming noise. The natives say this is 

 a sign of wind. 



The only good quality I know of this bird is his great afTeclion for 

 his partner ; he is continually stroking her with his bill and caressing 

 her; this is done at all times of the year, and not during the breeding 

 season alone. 



Crows are easily taken in any kind of trap, as long as the place of 

 setting it is varied, but once a crow has been caught, no other will be 

 caught in that ])lacc for a long time. 



At certain seasons of the year a class of natives piuchase crows to 

 turn off again, as they fancy all their sins go with the crow ; it is just 

 as well for the birds. The natives do not think it necessary to offer 

 him up to appease one of their three million gods. These miserly 

 Bunniahs (or green grocers) pay as much as three shillings for a crow, 

 so desirous are they of getting absolution for their sins. 



The crow has two or three young ones twice a year; these are of a 

 blue-black colour, and do not get the gray ring till the second year. 

 They follow their parents about for a month or so, making a most 

 clamorous noise for food. The crow catches white ants and locusts in the 

 air with tolerable facility. If any misfortune should befall one of their 

 brethren the crows do not show any sympathy, but begin teazing it 

 and pecking at it until it dies. No severer punisliment can be given 

 to an impertinent crow than to pluck a place bare on its back or neck 

 and let him go ; you will seldom see that bird again. I ihink from the 

 character here portrayed, and from his habits and customs, the name 

 I have given the bird is somewhat appropriate, and so I will take 



