1070 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HIST. SOCIETY, Vol. XXVIII 
Ck)rvus splendens (7) . . . . The Indian House-Crow. 
Local name • . . . . . Desi-Kaowa. 
Anglo-Indian name . . . . Common Crow. 
This species breeds, if anything, even more commonly than C. macrorhyn- 
chus ; but at a much later xwriod in the Eastern and Western districts alike. 
June, July, and August seem to be the most favoured months, though almost all 
the nests I have examined in August have contained yormg. Domestic opera- 
tions, as a rule, are commenced in May, but I have no notes of ever having taken 
eggs in that month. A few stragglers with other interests in life do not commence 
building tiU July, but the longer they delay the more they seem to be victimised 
by the Koels, which commence their depredations with the advent of the rains. 
I have examined hundreds of nests, and have come to the conclusion that those 
crows which nidificate early, in the beginning of June, are comparatively free 
from the attentions of these parasites, and it is only the stragglers who are bur- 
dened with the work of foster parents. 
This species, unlike the last, seems to prefer nesting on trees in the immediate 
vicinity of human dwellings ; while I have noticed several iirstances of more than 
one nest on the'same tree ; a domestic liberty which C. macrorhynchus would not 
tolerate. The nests, though smaller, are similar in structure to those already 
described, except that the egg cavity is usually not constructed with such elab- 
orate care, nor is so much discrimination exercised in the choice of materials ; 
course rags and wool often being incorporated. 
The normal number of eggs laid by this bird appears to be four, but Ihave taken 
six on more than one occasion. Departures from the normal, both as regards size 
and coloration, are more pronounced in this species than in the last. As a w'hole 
they are more glossy, and of a brighter blue, and the markings, though not as a 
rule so numerous, are in many cases much darker in colour, and more defined. 
Two eggs taken by me some years ago caused much speculation at the time as 
to their correct identification, but I was subsequently convinced as to their be- 
longing to this species. The nest was low down on a “Nim” tree which I found 
to contain a single egg of pale pure blue, without spot or blemish of any kind. 
There was no sign of any bird, so after watching the nest for a time I departed, 
and the following morning discovered a second egg of exactly the same type. 
Still no bird in sight, but as vfilage urchins had seen the nest as well, I considered 
it advisable to remove the eggs ; and though the nest was obviously a crow’s, I 
was at a loss to account for the abnormal colouring of the eggs. Subsequent 
visits to the nest were to no purpose, but about ten days later I was rewarded 
for my pains by seeing a crow in occupation. She must have been on the point 
of laying an egg for she hopped out at my approach and, sitting on an adjacent 
branch, laid her egg, which dropped to the ground and broke. I examined the 
shells carefully and found them to be of the same spotless blue ; thus eliminating 
all doubts as to the correct identity of the other two. To find one such egg in 
a clutch would not be extraordinary, but to have all going the same way certainly 
provides food for thought. 
In shape the eggs vary considerably ; pyriform, elongated, and globular 
varieties being common. Typically however, they may be said to be broad 
ovals, a good deal pointed towards one end. The size of a normal specimen 
would be about 1 • 45 by 1 • 05 inch. 
Dendrocitta rufa (16) . . . . The Indian Tree-Pie. 
Local name . . . . . . Mootri. 
Anglo-Indian name . . . . Long-tailed Jay ; Oglevie. 
This bird is common throughout the Province, is resident, and breeds ordin- 
arily from April to July ; though I have taken eggs in the Lucknow district as 
late as August. When commencing domestic operations the birds are invari- 
ably seen together, and are very noisy ; and if building a nest one has only to fol- 
low them about in order to locate it. One tree seems to suit their purpose as 
