532 TO THE EDITOR. 



Prior to Captain Vipan's visit to Nellumbore, I procured several 

 specimens of this bird at that place. The majority of these 

 specimens were unfortunately lost, having been destroyed by 

 rats on the Nilghiris ; but I succeeded in conveying a very 

 good series to England, where the specimens now are. 



The bird is by no means rare in the Malabar Forests (where I 

 also obtained its eggs), and may frequently be seen perched on a 

 lofty bamboo in the neighbourhood of some forest stream. It is 

 an exceedingly silent bird, and sits for hours together on a twig, 

 occasionally taking a short flight after a passing insect, but 

 almost invariably, unless disturbed, returning to the same 

 perch. 



I have shot and seen on the Segoor Ghaut of the Nilghiris 

 several painted Spur Fowl at various times. It is by no means 

 uncommon iu the rocky parts of the Ghaut, which are covered 

 with low scrub jungle. A specimen which Mr. Davison took 

 away with him from my collection was shot in the Nulla-Mallay 

 Range of the theKurnool Forests, where it is found on the rocky 

 spurs running out from the main range. 



I lately came across the Trocholopteron (Jerdoni) found on 

 the Bannasore Peak, on the Palghaut Range of hills. I have 

 also seen it on the Chinnaconoor Ghaut of the Nilghiri Hills. — • 



R. W. Morgan. 



Coimbatore, June 10th, 1874. 



Sir, 



When out for a drive this morning, I saw, to my great 

 surprise, two full-fledged young Coels (Eudyivnnys honorata) 

 flying in company with a female Crow (Corvus impudicus). All 

 three after a short flight settled on a lotv tree. Shortly after 

 the Crow left to join a troop of Crows feeding about 80 

 yards off. One of the young birds accompanied her, but after 

 a minute's perch on the ground returned to its companion. 

 As I stood near watching the young couple, the foster parent 

 returned, when one of the former approached her with fluttering 

 wings and open mouth to be fed. This was done, the Crow 

 with her strange offspring immediately after flying away to 

 another tree. What is extraordinary these Coels imitated, 

 with singular exactness, the " caw" of the young Crow. I 

 shot the pair, and have them now as specimens. I have noticed 

 this fact, because in your " Rough Draft of Nests and Eggs," 

 page 140, you remark that you had " never seen Crows feed 

 fully-fledged Coels out of the nest." I must confess that it is 



