Fossilised birds found in wall of 177-year-old school

Fossils of 17 birds were found buried in a wall during renovation of a 177-year-old school building here, with the Zoological Survey of India suggesting that they are the remains of a species of crows.
The fossilised remains were found during renovation of La Martiniere for Boys School here, but it was not known how they got there, a Zoological Survey of India official said after carrying out the inspection.
"We have collected the samples. The officers who are on the spot told me that preliminary investigations have revealed it to be of the crow species," Director of ZSI K Venkatraman told PTI here.

"But we will conduct tests on the fossils after which we can confirm it," he added.
La Martiniere spokesperson Supriyo Dhar told PTI that the Archaeological Survey of India and the ZSI were informed after the discovery of the fossils.
The ASI suggested that the ZSI be contacted.
Officials of ZSI took away the fossils, he said.
La Martiniere for Boys was founded in 1836.