534 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
Those which are most richly endowed, as regards the splendour of 
their dress, are the Scarlet Tanagers ( Zanagra rubra, Fig. 243). 
The Grosbeak Tanager (Zanagra magna) is remarkable for the 
sociability of its nature, for, with the help of its companions, it is in 
the habit of building on the top of a palm tree a vast construction, 
divided into a certain number of compartments, which are portioned 
out to so many couples, to hold their nests and young broods. 
The Dicrurus (Dicrurus macrocercus, Fig. 244) resembles a Crow in 
shape and a Blackbird in size. They have a carinated beak, pretty 
Fig. 244.— The Dicrurus. 
strongly curved, and a forked tail. The ground of their plumage is 
black, with a green or blue metallic reflection. They live in small 
flocks in the forests of India. . They are great destroyers of bees. 
The better to accomplish this, they post themselves, at morning and 
evening, at the skirts of a wood, on a tree which is dead or bare of 
leaves, and watch for these insects as they leave or regain their re- 
treats. When they attack their prey, they fly down from their post of 
observation, and from their great activity make terrible massacre of 
the unfortunates. 
Their turbulent and noisy nature, and their black funereal appear- 
ance, has been the means of gaining for them the name of Devil 
Birds. Their flesh is of no value ; but some species are said to sing 
