Birds. 5747 



in the East), made a pounce at the savoury morsel, and succeeded in 

 carrying it off without let or hindrance. 



Carrion Crow (Corvus corone). Those who may only have seen the 

 European crow, which is a wary bird, can have no conception of what 

 a bold, impudent, noisy and intrusive creature the common Indian crow 

 is ; in fact, it is a complete nuisance in the large towns and garrisons. 

 They find their way into the houses, where they perch on the chairs 

 and tables, and are no sooner driven out of one window than they find 

 their way in at another. On one occasion, when I was on the main 

 guard at Trichonopoly, a crow flew on to the breakfast-table, and 

 before it could be dislodged coolly proceeded to regale itself on 

 the butter, having, in the first place, knocked off the top of the 

 butter-cup : they also peck at the loaves, and endeavour to carry 

 them off. 



King Crow (Gracula religiosa ?). Common in India, of the colour 

 and size of the blackbird, although it may appear somewhat larger on 

 account of its long forked tail, which is in some degree lyre-shaped. 

 It is one of the few song-birds met with in the East, and as its notes 

 are heard before any other, and is a sure and never-failing precursor 

 of the dawn, as such, though neither powerful nor melodious, has a 

 peculiar charm about it when heard in the deep solitude of the forest, 

 ere the crowing of the jungle-cock or the shrill cry of the pea-fowl has 

 resounded through the woods. It is also remarkable on account of its 

 restless and pugnacious nature and instinctive animosity to the common 

 crow, which it invariably attacks, although some three or four times its 

 size. Shrike-like it takes up a position on a conspicuous twig or 

 branch, ever ready for attack, — ever on the offensive, — never even 

 allowing a crow to approach, much less intrude upon, its domain 

 without its being immediately assaulted and persecuted ; in fact, the 

 little king crow is the greatest of tyrants, and it is amusing to 

 witness the vain attempts of the poor crow to effect its escape, 

 which it seldom, however, succeeds in till duly punished for its 

 temerity, for resistance is rarely attempted, its whole powers of wing- 

 being exerted in vain endeavours to avoid or escape its dreaded and 

 relentless foe. 



Pea Fowl (Pavo cristatus, Lin.). Common enough in moist 

 jungles in India, particularly in the mountainous districts, where their 

 shrill piercing cry may be heard far and wide, and the sound is some- 

 what startling to the nerves of the novice or young sportsman, in the 

 midst of the vast, dense and solitary jungle, where all else is buried in 

 silence. Its vigilance, shyness and timidity are extreme, so that it can 



