Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



plumage is dark chestnut-red, as denoted by 

 the popular name of the bird. (The lower 

 parts of the hen are of a lighter hue.) Distribu- 

 tion : U. P., C. P., C. I., and western parts of 

 Bengal. 



24. Sitta frontalis : The Velvet-fronted Blue 

 Nuthatch. (F. 325), (J. 253), (-1.) 



Upper plumage dark blue, the cock having a 

 velvet-like black forehead and a black streak 

 through the eye ; throat whitish ; lower parts 

 greyish. 



Not found in the Punjab. 



The Drongos, 25-27 



25. Dicrurus ater : The Black Drongo, or 

 King Crow. (F. 327), (J. 278), (II, but with 

 a tail six inches long.) 



Jet black all over, with a long-forked tail. 

 One of the most familiar of Indian birds. It 

 frequently perches on telegraph wires, or on 

 the backs of cattle. It makes little flights after 

 insects and then returns to its perch. Its call 

 is very cheery and is heard most often at 

 earliest dawn. 



It breeds in the hot weather ; the nest is a 

 small cup, wedged into the fork of a lofty 

 105 



