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20. DiCRURUS MACRUCBRCUS, Vieill. Native uame, Bojunga. 



This bird may be seen everywhere flittiug about trees, and on the 

 backs of cattle. They abound in great numbers at the commencement 

 of the high land on the Brindabun road . It is sometimes seen con- 

 tending with the Hoopoe for the šame insect. I saw one deliberately 

 pulUng to pieces a large insect which it held tight to the branch 

 with its claw ; the remaining piece it took in its bill and by a slight 

 effbrt swallowed it. I once heard, about four o'clock in the morn- 

 ing and whilst yet dusk, several Bojungas making a great whisthng 

 noise and replying to each other, and was informed upon inąuiry, 

 that they are accustomed to have great fun at this hour, flying about 

 in anties. 1 would remark that the Bojunga and the Bhringraj 

 (D. paradiseus) are difFerent species of the šame genus of birds ; 

 the latter is an inhabitant apparently of the Nepal Hills, whenee 

 only it is brought down as a singing bird and sold at a fair near 

 Bulubhut held in January every year. The Bhringraj is never to 

 be seen in the plains, at least of the N.W. Provinces, in its wild 

 State : it may easily be distinguished from the Bojunga by its having 

 a crest of feathers on its head, and being more than double the size 

 of the former, though the shape, plumage (except the top-knot), and 

 perhaps habits are the šame. The Bojunga probably inhabits the 

 mountainous parts of the country as well as the plains, but certainly 

 the Bhringraj confines itself entirely to the hills. The Thampal, 

 which is another native name for the Bojunga, is unąuestionably 

 common enough in the N.W. Provinces, being found vvherever there 

 are large trees. It is fond of positions commanding extensive views : 

 the top of a high tree is a favourite perch, where it performs the 

 part of a sentinel in watching and giving uotice of the approach of 

 an unvvelcome visitor. It has some peculiar loud notes of alarm, 

 which are vvell understood by the less watchful but more peaceable 

 portion of the feathered race. The Thampal has an innate dishke 

 to the vicinity of all Raptorial birds, and will, \vithont any apparent 

 provocation, attack and drive these away from its immediate neigh- 

 bourhood ; but it is not until the breeding season arrives, vvhich is 

 from May to July and August, that this aversion and its natūrai 

 pugnacity come out in fuU force. From the moment the nešt is 

 built, the malė bird becomes extremely jealous of any encroachments 

 upon the precinets of his dwelling, and during incubation his vigi- 

 lance and ferocity are extreme. No sooner does he perceive the ad- 

 vance of a hawk, &c., than, startiug from his high perch, he launches 

 into the air to meet it. As all birds seem to dread an encounter 

 with this dauntless Uttle champion, the hawk is often seen to alter 

 its course immediately on observing this challenge ; but should it 

 have the hardihood to continue the original direction of its flight, 

 it certainly pays the penalty of its temerity ; for the Thampal, 

 mounting into the air a short distance above it, inflicts such smart 

 blows, sometimes fixing on its back with his claws and beak for some 

 seconds, as compels the hawk to beat a hasty retreat to some cover. 

 Occasionally the female will turn out to assist the malė in beating 

 off a bird that approaches too near her nešt. The foUovving instance 



