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The second group of Caimpephagine is a different type of bird: 
small in size and prettily coloured. 
‘GENUS PERICROCOTUS, (Minivets) 
Comprise of birds, much smaller in size, and are some of the 
most gorgeously plumaged among Dentirostres, which up to this point, 
have been birds of the most part, of sombre colours. Minivets 
visit us in spring, when these bright scarlet (males) birds, which 
might aptly be called “the flame of the forest,” are frequently seen, 
with their glossy black heads and wings, as the case might be, of 
the males, with their bright yellow coloured mates, enjoying a little 
friendly chase among taller trees in the garden or perched on the 
tip of a bushy evergreen, kharani tree (ash) warbling a pleasant 
song of contentment and pride. Bill of these birds is moderately 
long, fairly broad and high at the base, culmen a bit curved; rictal 
bristles slight; wings moderate, 4th and 5th quills the longest; tail 
long, outer feathers graduated; tarsus and feet short and limited ; 
claws curved. The two species, which are common in Darjeeling, 
are the Large and Short-billed Minivets. 
(273) PERICROCOTUS BREVIROSTRIS, Short-billed Minivet, is oftener 
seen in Darjeeling, where it is fairly common. It seems to think 
that there is no other bird more beautiful than its sweetheart. The 
ereater part of a spring morning you'can hear it calling out “ pretty, 
pretty, pretty!” and its mate replies, “sweet” in « most satisfactory 
manner. It arrives a good bit before speciosus and builds its nest 
usually on oak or tall evergreen trees. It constructs a delicate 
shallow cup shaped nest, which is placed between forked twigs. 
Eggs are broad-oval in shape, richly blotched and streaked brownish 
red and pale purple, on a greenish white ground colour. Brevirostris 
is about 74 inches in length; deep crimson in colour; blue-black 
on the head, neck, upper part of the back, wings and a few of the 
tail feathers ; wings with specks of crimson, also a conspicuous wing 
spot. In the female yellow takes the place of crimson. 
Sun-Famity DICRURINZE (Drongos) 
Most of the birds found in this group are common in India, 
some species, more so, have a wide distribution, whilst others pre- 
fer certain localities. A number of these species are represented in 
Darjeeling and the district, where they retire to breed in, spring and 
during the rains. As a rule these birds, love the warm sunny climes 
