THE KING-CROW. 37 



with red, though pure white ones are not uncommon. 

 They are deposited in an open nest in a tree, which 

 the parents vigorously defend ; but these, with all 

 their care, are liable to be imposed upon by a remark- 

 able cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris), which is one of 

 the very best instances of mimicry in nature, since it 

 resembles the Drongo, not only in size, but in 

 colour and form, having a forked tail, an altogether 

 exceptional feature in the cuckoo family. No doubt 

 the impostor benefits in a general way by resembling 

 a bird which is given to making itself respected by 

 others, but the special advantage secured is probably 

 greater security in foisting its unwelcome ofispring 

 on the Drongos ; this, however, it does not always 

 accomplish successfully, for an instance has been 

 recorded in which the unfortunate cuckoo was 

 actually seen to be pecked to death by them. 



I am not aware that this Drongo-cuckoo is found 

 about Calcutta, but this may possibly be the case, 

 as it is no doubt often passed over as a Bang-Crow ; 

 but anyone who notices one of these which looks 

 a littk different from the rest, and on watching it 

 finds that it has the toes in pairs after cuckoo fashion, 

 will know that he has seen a specimen of the mimic. 



There is one thing about the King-Crow that 

 puzzles me considerably. Very often I have noticed 

 that one of the forks of the tail is much worn away ; 



