418 AVIFAUNA OF CHOTA NAGPUR. 



COUYIBM. 



171.— Corvus Levaillantii, Less. (660.) 



The Indian Corby or Raven of some Europeans is spread 

 throughout Chota Nagpur, but its distribution is somewhat 

 capricious, and its presence or absence, in particular tracts, is 

 not always easy to account for. The sportsman often finds 

 this bird to be a most useful guide to the whereabouts of both 

 living and dead game, more particularly the latter ; but a tiger 

 or bear cannot walk about in the day light without being mad9 

 the subject of some loudly expressed remarks on the part of the 

 Crows of the neighbourhood. 



172.— Corvus impudicus, Eodgs. C. Splendens, 

 Vieill apud Jerdon. (663.) 



The Common Indian Crow is very common throughout. It is 

 much more abundant, I think on the whole, than the preceding 

 species. Although both species, especially in the neighbourhood 

 of towns, are sometimes found together, I think, as a general 

 rule, they occupy distinct tracts of country. 



My jungle specimens are somewhat larger than the average 

 Calcutta birds. 



173.— Vagalbunda rufa, Scop. (674.) 



The Common Indian Magpie is found throughout the Divi- 

 sion. Captain Beavan says it is rare in Manbhum ; such how- 

 ever has not been my experience, but it is nowhere very 

 abundant. 



I have often been amused with watching the pertinacity of 

 the attacks made by this bird upon the large Wood Owls. On 

 one occasion while sitting concealed, awaiting the expected 

 arrival of some bears, I had a good opportunity for observing 

 closely the proceedings. The Owl kept up a sort of half chat- 

 tering half hissing noise. Two Magpies, seated close by, 

 accompanied him by bobbing up and down and uttering a 

 curious convulsive sort of cry. When the Owl could bear it no 

 longer he flew off to another tree, but was hotly pursued by the 

 Pies who again resumed their no-doubt irritating antics. 



STUKNIDiE. 



174.— Sturnopastor contra, Lin. (633.) 



The Pied Starling is tolerably common in all parts of the 

 Division, save of course where there is very heavy jungle. 



