CHAPTER V. 



TflE DRONGO FAMILY 



(Dicrurid(B\ 



The Drongo Hottentot, Indian, or Great Rocket- 

 tailed Drongo. 



HE DRONGOES, of which there are several 

 varieties, form a family by themselves, 

 but are nearly related to the Crows, 

 Shrikes, and especially to the Flycatchers. 

 Linnaeus classed them with the Shrikes, and Russ has 

 followed the great Swedish master in this respect, 

 naming the Drongo Lanius hottentottus, the specific 

 name probably having reference to the colour of the 

 bird, which is entirely of a dense shade of black, with 

 dark steel-blue reflections, which are chiefly apparent 

 in the full glare of the sun. The principal pecu- 

 liarities of the Drongo, however, are found at the 

 opposite extremities of its body, the head being orna- 

 mented with a raised and somewhat incurved crest, 

 and the latter having two of its feathers much longer 

 than the rest, and terminated by a racket-shaped 

 expansion. 



Some authorities place this bird among the Crows, 



