Descriptive Inst 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. Sttta frontalis: ‘The Velvet-fronted Blue 
Nuthatch. (F. 325), (J. 253), (-I.) 
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 
