CROW. 51 



bounding the under part of the crest ; from behind the eye on each 

 side, spring three long, naked shafts, ending in points, the shortest 

 seven inches in length, the second ten inches, and the 'third so long- 

 as to reach seven inches beyond the tail ; these are Mack, but the 

 ends are more or less rufous ; legs dusky black. 



Inhabits the Cape of Good Hope. — M. Levaillant met with two 

 specimens, but could never find the Hottentot Crow, from all his 

 enquiries. 



51.— CRISHNA CROW.— Pl. xl. 



LENGTH twelve inches and a half. Bill more than one inch 

 long, cultrated, highly bent, and notched near the end ; tongue 

 edged with bristles ; several black ones project over the nostrils and 

 gape ; feathers of the front erect, and from them proceed eight or 

 nine long black bristles, which hang down on the shoulders ; irides 

 dark brown ; the head and neck feathers narrow, and acuminated ; 

 general colour of the plumage black, glossed in parts with green and 

 blue ; second and third quills nearly of equal length, the first rather 

 shorter ; tail forked, consisting often feathers, bent towards the sides, 

 the outmost six inches long, has a very narrow outer web, and 

 towards the point turned up spirally ; legs black. 



This is the Crishna Rai, and Kishen Rai of the Bengalese, and 

 an enemy to the common Crow ; is named Crishna after one of the 

 Hindu Deities, who is represented as of a shining black colour, with 

 a crest on his head, having been a great warrior. It is common in 

 the neighbourhood of Calcutta,* and builds among the Bamboos, 

 living in pairs, and feeding on insects ; remains there throughout the 

 year. — Mr. Cook, Surgeon, of Sylhet, observes, that it is there called 



* And probably in that of the Kristna, a river of Hindustan, if similarity of sound can 

 bear any weight. 



H 2 



