238 



Catalogue of Birds 



[Oct. 



from its perch on the top of a palm-tree,and making a short circuit in the 

 air after insects, reseating itself, though not generally on the same tree. 

 On another occasion I saw it in Travancore skimming over the surface 

 of a tank, and returning to rest on a low bough over-hanging the water. 

 Its flight is rapid, elegant, and remarkably like that of the swallow. 



Length about 7 inches ; wing 5; tail 2 T \thsj bill light cinereous, 

 darker at tip ; legs slate colour. 



Gen. DICRURUS, Vieill.— Edolius, Cuv. 



Drongo Shrike. — Fork tailed Shrike. — King Crow of Europeans in 

 India. 



55. D. halicassius, Vieill.— Common King Crow. — Kolsah or Bojunga, 

 H. — Sometimes also called " Cotival." 



This is the most common and abundant species of Dicrums, and is to 

 be met with in every part of the country, and inhabits alike the open 

 country and wooded districts, but is never found in dense jungle. The 

 king crow may be seen perched on a tree or hedge, the top of a low 

 bush on the plain, or a stack of grain— frequently* also on the top of 

 a wall or old building, the bank of a paddy-field, or even a clod 

 of earth, or ant hill — -and it is by no means uncommon to see one on the 

 back of cattle, sheep or goats, while grazing. From this perch it watches 

 eagerly for the stirring of an insect below — on observing one, flies rapidly 

 to the spot, and, generally alighting for an instant on the ground, seizes 

 its prey — frequently however the devoted grasshopper, or other insect, 

 being also on the look-out, makes an attempt to escape, but is closely 

 pursued by the king-crow, who either snaps it up on the wing or just as 

 it has alighted. Having secured it, the kolsa flies 'off generally, but not 

 always to its former perch, devours it at leisure, and then uttering its 

 usual cry is again ready for a fresh capture. Such is the usual mode of 

 feeding of this bird. It very frequently, however, captures various mall 

 insects on the wing, from the top of a tree or some lofty branch, some- 

 times ascending almost perpendicularly for several feet — occasionally 

 whips one off a blade of grain, or from the surface of a pool of water. 

 On the issuing of the winged termites from a nest in a hedge row, or 

 near the bottom of a tree, there are generally several assembled to par- 

 take of the feast, together with the crows and minas. This bird gets its 

 popular name of king-crow from its general habk of following crows 

 most clamorously and persevering, every now and then pouncing 



