Lieut. Burgess on the Habits of Indian Birds. 63 



in a place I never saw this species building in before, viz. on the 

 outside branches of the babool tree. Tlie nest was composed of a 

 thornjr twig or two of babool and thick bents of grass." Another nest 

 was made in a thorny bush, about 5 feet from the ground, and close 

 to the stem of the bush ; it was composed of twigs of the thorn bush, 

 pieces of cotton and a piece of rag, -R-ith grass interwoven into it. 

 This nest contained three eggs. It is now in the Museum of the 

 Zoological Society, The eggs are a little less than an inch in length, 

 by a little less than -^^ in. wide, of a white ground, spotted and mot- 

 tled, especially at the large end, with grey and red-brown. 



I believe that this Butcher Bird, like the last-mentioned, migrates 

 from the Deccan during the monsoon, returning about September. 

 It would form a very interesting subject for investigation, as to what 

 families of birds leave the Deccan during the monsoon, whither they 

 betake themselves, and for what purposes. I have frequently made 

 inquiries, but could not learn anything satisfactory on the subject. 



Subfamily Dicrurin^. 

 Genus Dicrurus. 



DiCRURUS MACROCERCUS. DrONGO ShRIKE. 



This bird is not much indebted to variety or richness of colouring 

 in its plumage, for bringing it into notice ; but its pleasant cheerful 

 note and active habits must have been remarked by all observers of 

 nature in India. Ere the peep of day it commences its pleasant 

 twitter, and from sunrise to sunset it may be seen, now sitting on a 

 bare spray watching for some passing insect, now perched on the 

 back of a browsing cow or sheep, and then off in an instant in pursuit 

 of a fly. I have seen one chase and capture a large white butterfly, 

 which it appeared to have some diflaculty in swallowing when caught, 

 as it did not attempt to pull it to pieces, but was endeavouring to 

 bolt it entire. They appear to have great antipathy to crows, chasing 

 them with great vigour and boldness whenever one enters within their 

 domain. I subjoin a note, made at the time, of the curious flight of 

 these birds when hawking after flies. " Saw one of them (Drongo) 

 perched on the outside branch of a tree hanging over a field of wheat ; 

 suddenly the Shrike descended close to the ears of corn on which the 

 flies had settled in the heat of the sun, and commenced a most 

 curious jerking flight up and down, as if it had been tossed up and 

 down on the waves of the sea. After performing this dancing flight 

 for some little time, it returned to its seat, and after remaining there 

 a short time, descended and repeated its jerking flight." The 

 Marahta name is Kolsa, the word for charcoal, alluding I suppose to 

 its jet-black colour. The Drongo begins to build in the month of 

 May, and Dr. Jerdon mentions ha\ang found its nest as late as August. 

 I found its nest in a bush in a thick hedgerow ; it was composed of 

 roots, and contained three eggs of a rather reddish creamy-white 

 ground, spotted with red spots ; the egg is J^ in. long by rather more 

 than yV broad. The food of the Drongo consists of insects, moths, 

 and butterflies. 



