THE KING-CROW 
ss TURDY independence” sums up the character 
of the king-crow (Dzcrurus ater). Needless 
to state, this royal bird has no connexion with 
the vulgar, plebeian crow. It is difficult to 
account for the origin of this popular name. It is true 
that the king-crow is clothed in glossy, shining black 
plumage from the top of his head to the tip of his long 
forked tail, but with this, all resemblance to the corvi 
ceases. The two races have absolutely nothing else in 
common. They are, moreover, sworn enemies. 
Far more appropriate is one of the native names for 
the bird, the Zotwal,; which, being interpreted, is the 
head officer of the chief police station. Every one who 
is acquainted, on the one hand, with the methods of the 
Indian police, and, on the other, with the habits of the 
king-crow, will appreciate the title. This bird, who 
should more properly be called the black drongo, is 
the chief police officer of the feathered world. He 
is inspector-general, commissioner, superintendent, in- 
spector and constable, all rolled into one. He takes 
upon his shoulders the burden of keeping in order the 
whole bird population of India. His office is no sine- 
cure, for although the fowls of the air are in general 
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