154 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



189. CorvUS SCapulatuS, Daud. Scapulary Crow. 



La Corneille d, scapulaire blanc, Levaillant's Ois. d'Afr. pi. 63. 

 Corvus scapulatus, Layard's Cat. No. 331. 



„ „ Chapman's Travels in S. Afr., App. p. 404. 



„ „ Sharpe's Cat. No. 541. 



This species is found in Damara and Great Namaqua 

 Land, and also in the Lake-regions, but is rather a local 

 bird. It is a regular scavenger, being always present 

 where offal is to be had, and at times resorting in num- 

 bers to the bays and inlets of the coast in search of 

 carrion thrown up by the waves ; indeed its scent and 

 sight for carrion rival those of the Vultures, and it is 

 not unfrequently seen about a carcass before even a 

 single Vulture has appeared. It is quite fearless, and 

 will approach a person within a few steps, but, if once 

 shot at, displays considerable cunning and caution. 

 From its commonness and sociability its presence is often 

 disregarded ; and it avails itself of such opportunities to 

 carry off any pieces of meat and fat which may chance 

 to be within its reach ; but such little depredations 

 are amply compensated by its usefulness as a scavenger, 

 and also in ridding domestic as well as wild animals 

 from the fearfully bloodthirsty ticks which infest their 

 hides. 



Some of the notes of this Crow, more especially 

 on a raw misty morning, are absurdly singular and 

 ridiculous. 



In the heat of the day nearly all the birds of this 

 kind found in a limited locality will join in circling 

 round and round for hours together, sometimes ascending 

 to a very great height. 



