THE BHIMRAJ 227 



It seldom allows its neighbours a peace- 

 ful life. As soon as it notices a smaller 

 bird from its lofty perch, it charges down 

 to secure perhaps the insect which the 

 latter has in its beak. Robbery is not 

 always the purpose in its pursuit of other 

 birds. It often would give chase in sheer 

 mischief, only to enjoy the discomfiture of 

 the frio^htened birds. For it has been 

 noticed that though the Bhimraj sweeps 

 down on other birds, it does not always 

 follow them upwards. Its boldness increases 

 during the nesting season when, with 

 its mate, it attacks and drives off, from 

 the neighbourhood of its nest, preying 

 birds like Harriers or Eagles. Its anxie- 

 ty for its brood would even lead it to 

 attack quadrupeds. Major Bingham, when 

 out for an excursion in a jungle in Burma, 

 passed close to a tree in which a pair of 

 Racket-tailed Drono:oes were nesting:. 

 Says he, ''I was wading across the mouth 

 of the Theedoquee, when my attention 

 was attracted by seeing a pair of above 



