IN CAPTIVITY IN LOWER BENGAL. 197 



(35) THE BLACK DRONGO OR KING-CROW. 



(DICRUKUS ATER— {Hermann.) ) 

 Bengali — Finga. 



A very common and well-known bird in Lower Bengal. 



Hob. — Common in Bengal and other parts of India, extending to 

 China, Siam and Cochin- China; also found in the Himalayas up to 

 about 7,000 feet. They disappear from some localities during certain 

 seasons of the year ; although pretty abundant in the garden and in the 

 neighbourhood at other times, scarcely any can be seen during the 

 rainy season. 



Length of life in captivity. 



Of late no attempt has been made to exhibit them in the garden, 

 so that there is no record of the period during which one has lived in 

 actual captivity here ; experience has, however, shown that they do not 

 bear captivity well. 



Housing. — There are certain difficulties in keeping this bird; it 

 requires a lofty and spacious place, but owing to its extremely pugna- 

 cious habits it cannot be lodged with other birds ; in captivity it finds no 

 opportunity of sweeping down or taking upward flights to catch flying 

 insects, and does not easily learn to adapt its habits to altered circum- 

 stances. For an account of the habits of this bird, Jerdon's " Birds of 

 India," volume I, may be consulted. 



(36) THE HAIR-CRESTED DRONGO* 

 (CHLBIA HOTTENTOTTA-(Zm«.) ) 

 Hindi and Bengali — Kesraj, 



This is also a common and well-known bird in Bengal. 



Hab. — Besides Bengal it is found in the Western Coast of India ; 

 the Himalayas as far east as Assam ; Burmah and extreme south of 

 Tenasserim. 



Length of life in captivity. 



No record has been kept, but it bears captivity better than the 

 black drongo. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — It maybe kept as a pet in a small cage about three feet 

 square, or exhibited in a large aviary ; it is better not to keep any small 

 birds with it, as it is apt to tyrannize over them. 



Food. — Insects, minced meat, satoo, boiled rice and milk, &e. ; it is 

 also fond of honey and other sweets. It is, however, better not to allow 

 pure honey to birds in captivity, as the constant habit of cleaning the 

 beak renders the feathers sticky and uncomfortable. 



