337 
between Takoo and Peking , North China. 
Lama temples north of Peking. In the morning they might be 
seen strutting about the parade-ground and the neighbouring 
fields searching for food; in the afternoon they would collect in 
large numbers, and toy and cuff one another among the lofty 
branches, cawing vociferously. They soon learnt a natural dread 
of the fowling-piece. 
These birds are not uncommon near Shanghai, whence 
Mr. Gould probably obtained his specimens. 
72. Black Crow. Corvusijaponicus, Schlegel. 
In close communion with the former I often saw these birds, 
but they were always distinguishable by their larger size and 
peculiar cry of “ caw-caw ah-ah.” They associated in flocks, 
though never of any great extent. 
73. White-ringed Crow. Corvus pectoralis, Gould. 
I occasionally saw this species, but it was by no means so 
common as the last. 
74. Pied Jackdaw. Corvus ( Monedula) dauricus, Pallas. 
Large flocks of these birds were to be found all day long in the 
fine trees above mentioned, clustering close together on the 
boughs, and having quiet talks among themselves. As the sun 
began to set, one would see flocks of thousands coming to Peking 
from the direction of the hills on the w^est. Their flight was 
always high, and their cries incessant. I should say some twenty 
or thirty of these immense flocks, sometimes mingled with rooks, 
but more often with individuals of the following species, would 
pass over of an evening; the majority settling for the night 
among the woods in the Imperial grounds inside the city, or in 
he trees of the temples of Heaven and Earth. The rooks would 
generally leave them and drop into the lama-trees, where they 
usually roosted. In the morning at day-dawn one would hear 
their cries again, even before discerning them in the hazy sky, 
though their flight was then usually much lower. 
75. Black Jackdaw. Corvus [Monedula) neglectus } Schlegel. 
This species was also very numerous, though not so numerous 
as the last, with which it often associated. Indeed, I seldom 
saw a flock of either without a few of the cognate species among 
their number. In habits the two are remarkably similar, as well 
