292 PET BIRDS OF BENGAL 



Of course its presence depends on the 

 nature of the trees constitutmg the groves 

 and gardens. Leafy trees affording effec- 

 tive cover are necessary for protection 

 against the wrath of crows. And as it 

 is pre-eminently a frugivorous bird, with 

 a predilection for jiciis fruits — these 

 trees also are indispensable. If these 

 conditions are fulfilled, the Koel will feel 

 itself quite at ease. During a certain part 

 of the year, another condition has got to be 

 fulfilled- — the existence of a goodly number 

 of corvine households. The crows have an 

 instinctive aversion to the Koel and always 

 give it chase but they are never able to 

 come to grips. The Koel's cleverness in 

 dodging pursuit increases its impudence, and 

 all through summer, it laughs merrily 

 from thick covers, booing derisively at all 

 the grey-necked crows that happen to be 

 busy with their domestic duties in the 

 neighbourhood. From man's standpoint 

 the crow is perhaps the most clever and the 

 most nefarious bird in existence. But the 



