176 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST, 
it is not molested, its services in removing offal or putrid 
flesh being considered useful. This is hardly correct even 
of the Brown-necked species, which I never saw flying in or 
over an Egyptian town. 
118. ABYSSINIAN RAVEN, ‘Corvus affinis, Riipp. 
This scarce bird is found in Egypt, but to my great regret 
I did not get a specimen. Soon after we anchored at 
Thebes I saw a pair on the sand, and tried to get near them 
both by land and water. On another occasion, having ob- 
served a quantity of Ravens congregated ata certain spot, 
one of my friends tried the experiment of lying down. The 
Ravens soon lost their shyness, and after he had lain still 
for some time, one of the rare “ Abyssinians” came within 
shot, but just as he pulled the trigger a common one got in 
the line and received the charge. Altogether I saw four 
pairs, of which three pairs were with flocks of the Brown- 
necked Raven. I suppose the bird has been frequently 
overlooked, but the shape of its wings and tail are so differ- 
ent from the common one, that it ought to be distinguished 
instantly. At p. 71 of the “Ibis” for 1866, the distinctions 
are given in detail with a woodcut. 
119. HooDED Crow, Corvus cornix, Linn. 
(Hasselquist 85); “Gurab awar,” ie. The One-eyed Crow. 
The “ Hoodey” is the commonest of the larger birds in 
the Delta, and the tamest, but further south they are 
scarcer. One was seen at Boulac (Cairo) with a white patch 
on its breast, and another pied one was seen lower down the 
river. I have once or twice observed them perch on the 
Buffaloes’ backs. 
