126 BIRDS OF DAMARA LAND. 



occasions its very swift flight and its habit of always 

 keeping above its enemy more than compensates for its 

 inferiority in strength. It is very particular about keep- 

 ing its own locality to itself, and will not rest till it has 

 fairly expelled an intruder, thus becoming a useful ally 

 to the naturalist, to whom it rarely fails to give notice 

 of the presence of a bird of prey, if at all near to its 

 own domain. This species is generally found in pairs ; 

 and at times, especially during the season of incubation, 

 one of these birds may be heard late at night, perched 

 on the top of a tree and uttering the most melodious 

 notes, perhaps rather plaintive, but very soothing and 

 varied ; and again early in the morning, an hour or so 

 before daybreak, he may also be heard carolling to his 

 mate. The song of the Damara Dicrurus is, however, 

 inferior to that of the Dicrurus musicus of the Cape, and 

 its call-note is also not so loud. It breeds in Damara 

 Land, and builds in a fork or branch of a tree. The nest 

 is composed of twigs, and is lined with tendrils or roots 

 of tiny plants, but with no softer lining ; it is so loosely 

 constructed that a person standing underneath it may 

 see the eggs through the bottom of the nest ; these are 

 from two to four in number, of a whitish colour, be- 

 sprinkled with small dark brown spots, which are 

 somewhat clustered at the thicker end. 



These birds feed on insects, and watch for their prey 

 from some elevated perch ; as soon as it is perceived, the 

 bird gives chase, catching it on the wing and nearly 

 always returning to the same perch. This species is 

 said to be particularly destructive to bees. 



