10 THE BIRDS OF CALCUTTA. 



Zoological Gardens in the person of the Caiacaia 

 haTsrk, a very handsome but cowardly and mischievous 

 bird. It will be interesting to see what will happen 

 when Crows at length gain a footing in South America, 

 for some one is sure to introduce them sooner or later 

 just as our own rook {Corvus frugikgus) at home 

 was lately his trial in South Africa. Of course indis- 

 criminate introduction like this is much to be 

 condemned from the point of view of the practical 

 man, though from that of the naturalist it is of 

 great interest, for future generations of observers 

 will find in it an experiment in evolution. 



Crows are certain to have an important influence 

 on the fauna of a country, if only from their cunning 

 and their long life. Whether Hesiod, when he said 

 " Nine generations lives the croaking Crow," was 

 strictly accurate is open to considerable doubt ; the 

 oldest Indian Crow I ever knew was at least fifteen 

 and looked as young as ever he could have done. He 

 was in the London Zoo, and I remember particularly 

 that one very hard winter, although in an out-of- 

 door aviary, he looked about the most cheerful bird 

 in the gardens ; so that if he haunts a warm climate 

 here it is not because he cannot stand a cold one. 

 There is no doubt that he feels the heat very badly, 

 bub he probably finds that an easy livelihood has 

 compensating advantages. 



