PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 63 



II. — Length over 12 inches ; forehead tufted. 



(a) Hind feathers of the tuft erect ; inner web of 

 outermost tail feathers normal. 

 Dissemurulus lophorhinus (Ceylon Black Drongo). 



(6) Hind feathers of tuft curving backwards ; 

 terminal portion of outer tail feathers with a 

 distinct racket in adults ; with an indentation 

 on inner webs in young birds. 

 Dissemurus paradiseiis ceylonensis (Larger Racket- 

 tailed Drongo). 



DiCRURUS ATER MINOR. 



The Black Drongo. 



Dicrurus ater (Oates, Vol. I., p. 312) ; BucJmnga atra (Legge 

 p. 380). 



Description. ^^\\xn\Q,ge l)lack glossed with steel blue ; 

 in fresh specimens the gloss on the tail is slightly greenish ; 

 primary quills rather rusty black. There is a small white 

 spot at the lower corner of the gape, not always easily per- 

 ceptible. 



In young birds the wing quills and lower plumage are brown- 

 ish ; the feathers of the abdomen are fringed, and the lower 

 tail coverts barred with white, which gradually disappears as 

 the birds grow older. 



Bill, legs, and feet black ; iris brownish-red or red. 



Distribution. — The Black Drongo is found all over India, 

 and extends into China, Siam, and Java. The Ceylon race 

 is a distinct sub-species, which may also possibly occur in 

 the extreme south of India. It differs from other Indian 

 forms by its smaller size and comparatively smaller tail. 

 In Ceylon it is confined to the Jaffna peninsula and the 

 coastal region of the Mannar District. 



Habits. — ^Not uncommon in the localities in which it occurs. 

 It frequents open and cultivated lands and scattered thorny 

 Jungle, perching on posts and exposed branches and swooping 

 out on passing insects, then returning to its post of vantage. 

 It often also perches on the backs of cattle. The note is a 



