ORNITUOLOG V. 370 



In Dixnemunis tlio frontal plumes curve buck over the foriiheaJ, forminp; a 

 fine crest, and the 'racket' feathers of the tail have tlie inner web narrower than 

 the outer. 



Dissr.Mriius pAUAnisF.us, L. Arakan. Pegu. Tenassorim. 



D. liungoonensis, Gould. 



I). Malauauoiues, Hodg. Nipal. Arakan. Pegu. 



Gates describes this bird as having a magnificent voice and a song very ricli and 

 powerful. Blyth's remarks on this species may here bo quoted : 



" I provisionally bi'ing together the various races of Bhimrdj (as they are desig- 

 nated in Bengal), because it appears to mo that their differtntiation is not yet 

 sufficiently understood ; but specimens from different localities differ much in size and 

 in the development of the frontal crest. In some the latter is rudimcntarj", if it exist 

 at all; while in others it attains a length of 21 in., the frontal plumes flowing over 

 and beyond the occiput. The ordinary length in Burmese specimens is about l.J in. 

 In one specimen in the Calcutta Museum, which is believed to have been procured by 

 Heifer, the frontal crest is rudimentary, whilst the racket tail-feathers attain very 

 unusiml length, the unwebbcd portion of them being much more spirated than I liave 

 seen in any other. Again, there is one race, found especially in Tippera, with the 

 frontal crest 2i- in. long, and the closed wing 6J in. But, with the exception 

 pei'haps of this Tippera bird, there would seem to be all possible gradations in 

 different localities, especially as regards the development of the frontal crest. Tlie 

 longest crested (or Tippera form) is styled Chibia maJixharoidrs by Mr. Hodgson, and 

 the Edolius grandis, Gould, is described to have the crest IJ in. in length. £. para- 

 diseus {Cucnlus paradiseus, L.) is based on Brisson's Cucuhis cristatus siamcmis, 

 founded on a drawing by Poivre of a Siamese specimen, and should therefore denote 

 the ordinary Tenassorim bird, whiidi is identical with the Bhimrdj of the Calcutta 

 bird-dealers. As observed in captivity, this species has astonishing powers of 

 mimicry. I had one which imitated the fine song of the Shama ( Cittocinda macrourd) 

 to perfection ; also the crowing of cocks, and every other sound produced by domestic 

 poultry, the cawing of crows, the notes of various other wild birds, the bleating of 

 calves, the cry of a dog being whippcnl, mewing of eats, etc. ; but I do not romembiT 

 to have heard one sing in the wild state. Mason, however, mentions its loud, flute- 

 like notes, and remarks of one that used to come at sunset evei-y evening, and perch 

 on a bough near his dwelling in Dong-yan ; 'there it would sit and pour forth an 

 incessant strain of melody for half an hour at a time.' As soon alive, it presents 

 a very different appearance from the stuffed specimens exhibited in museums, the 

 hackled feathers of the neck showing to advantage. When tamed it is very fearless 

 and familiar, and may be suffered to have its liberty in country places. It preys 

 with avidity on small birds and other animals. But with all its extraordinary faculty 

 of imitating sounds, the Bhimrdj never attempts to articulate human speech, in which 

 some examples of the hill maina {Ealahes) succeed so admirably." 



D. AFFUJis, Tytler. Andamans. Nicobars. 



The next genus differs from Bissomnrus in wanting a crest, and in the outer tail 

 feathers being only slightly lengthened and no portion of the shaft bare. 



DissEMUROiDEs DicEtTEiFOEMis, Humc. Great Coco and Turtle Lsland. 



D. Andamanensis, Tytler. Andamans. 



In the next genus a crest of hairs rises from the forehead, and falls down over 

 the neck. The tail is forked and the outer tail feathers slightly lengthened and 

 turned up into a sort of scoop. 



CniBiA noTiENTOTA, L. Arakan. Pegu. Tenasserim. 



This bird goes about in small parties, frequenting cotton trees in blossom for the 

 insects which shelter in the larger calicos. Jerdon describes its voice as " changeable 

 and in coustant exertion, from a beautiful song, to whistling chattering, and like 

 a rusty wheel, at times resembling the higher strains of the organ, both striking and 

 plaintive." 



