PASSERINE BIRDS OF CEYLON. 67 



The crest on the forehead is about ^ inch long, the foremost 

 feathers are directed forwards, the hinder feathers erect, but 

 not curved backwards. 



Distribution. — Until lately this species was supposed to be 

 peculiar to Ceylon, but recently it has been discovered in South 

 Travancore, where it is not uncommon. In Ceylon it is 

 restricted to the forests of the wet zone, from the Deduru-oya 

 on the north to the Walawe river in the south-west. It is rarely 

 found east of the Peak range, which it ascends to a height of 

 about 4,500 feet. 



Habits. — A forest bird, which is generally met with in 

 pairs among the top branches of tall trees in the heart of the 

 jungle. It is very noisy and has considerable vocal powers, 

 being able to mimic the calls of many species of birds. I 

 have also heard it imitate a cat in the most realistic manner. 

 Like the other Brongos, it is entirely insectivorous, and takes 

 its prey on the wing with a short swoop from a fixed perch 

 to which it returns. The breeding season is about April. 

 Little is known of its nidification, however. 



DiSSEMURUS PARADISEUS CEYLONENSIS. 



The Larger Racket-tailed Drongo. 



Dissemurus paradiseus (Gates, Vol. I., p. 325 ; Legge, p. 399). 



Description. — Plumage black with a strong metallic gloss 

 of steel blue, except on the chin, lower abdomen, vent, and 

 the greater part of the wing quills, which are dull black. In 

 immature birds the wing-lining and under tail coverts are 

 tipped with A^hite, and the racket feathers are not fully 

 developed ; but there is always, except in very young speci- 

 mens, an indentation in the inner web of the long outermost 

 feathers. 



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



Length : Males 17 to 19 inches according to length of tail ; 

 wing 6; tail 11 to 13; tarsus -95; bill from gape 1'25. 

 Females are rather smaller : wing 5*8; tail 10 to 11. 



The crest on the forehead is up to 1 inch in length ; the 

 foremost feathers are almost erect ; the hind feathers curve 

 backwards. 



