562 



and evening, usually in large companies. At sunrise these Ravens literally cover the large rocks 

 around Mensa, each pair being seated together, thus showing their attachment to their mates. 

 After remaining about half an hour croaking and calling loudly, they would adjourn to the 

 village dung-hills ; and ere long all would disappear, except a pair or two, who doubtless lived 

 close to the village. In the evening they collected again, first on the rocks, and then on the 

 tops of the larger trees, where, like the common Crow, they would chatter and make a noise for 

 half an hour, and after sunset would fly away, doubtless to their roosting-places, which have for 

 long been used by them for that purpose. I have seldom seen such affection shown by any 

 Raven as is the case with these towards their mates. Even any one unaccustomed to observe 

 birds can see at a glance in a large flock which pairs belong together ; for each pair sits some- 

 what apart, and appear only to care for each other. First one and then the other will spread 

 its wings over its mate, uttering a soft guck, guck, guck, which the other, probably the female, 

 answers by a single guck." 



I can find no details as to the nidification of this species ; and Dr. Brehm was not in the 

 localities where it breeds during the breeding-season, and can therefore give no notes on its 

 nidification. It is said to breed in the rocks ; and doubtless its nest and eggs assimilate to those 

 of the common Eaven. Mr. H. M. Upcher, to whom I am indebted for the loan of the specimen 

 described, informs me that he knows nothing respecting its breeding-habits, and, indeed, only 

 met with it on two occasions, once at Safieh after a sleepless night spent close to a smoking 

 village. "At daylight," he writes, "as we were clearing away from such an unpleasant neigh- 

 bourhood as quickly as possible, numbers of them came streaming in in company with other 

 Ravens and Vultures to feed on the slaughtered victims of the previous day. They were easily 

 distinguishable from the other Ravens by the circular appearance they presented when flying, 

 the wings and tail seeming to form a complete segment of a circle. Our departure was so 

 hurried that our time for observation was very short ; and I only saw one again for a few minutes 

 on the west side of the Dead Sea." 



I do not propose to issue a coloured plate of this Raven ; but in treating of Corvus corone a 

 large plate will be given showing the distinguishing characters of the various species of Crows 

 and Ravens, and the head of the specimen described will be figured, showing the peculiar nasal 

 bristles so characteristic of C. affinis. 



Not possessing a specimen of this Raven in my collection, I have taken my description from 

 the bird lent to me by Mr. H. M. Upcher, of Sherringham Hall, Norfolk. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. M. Upcher. 

 a. Safieh, Palestine {H. M. U.). 



E Mus. Brit. Beg. 

 a,b,S ■ Ghor el Safieh, Palestine (H. B. Tristram). 



E Mus. H. B. Tristram, 

 a. Palestine {H. B. T.). 



