The KING CROW, or FINGA of Bengal (_Dicrourus macrocercus_), is one of
the most remarkable and most numerous of the many species inhabiting
India. Its length is about twelve and its breadth sixteen inches; the
wing measures five inches and three-quarters, and the tail about six
inches. In this bird the entire body is of a resplendent black, deepest
in shade upon the wings and tail; the under portions are brownish black;
the region of the nape is decorated with a white spot. The sexes are
alike in colour, and the young are readily distinguished from their
parents by white crescent-shaped spots upon the feathers that cover the
under surface. The nest is composed of grass, twigs, and roots carefully
put together, and contains from three to five eggs of a white colour,
with pale brown or purplish spots.
The Finga is found throughout the whole of India, Assam, and Burmah, as
far as China, occupying almost every locality except the densest parts of
the jungle. An almost identical but larger bird is met with in Ceylon. We
are also acquainted with four other Indian varieties, and several very
similar species inhabit Africa and Australia.
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The DRONGOS (_Chaptia_) are recognisable from the last-mentioned group by
their more delicate feet and less decidedly pointed tails.