154 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



The Sub-Family, DICRURIN-ffi, or Drongo 

 Shrikes, 



have the bill of various lengths, broad at the base, with the 

 culmen more or less keeled, and curved to the tip ; the sides 

 compressed ; the nostrils usually concealed by short compact 

 plumes, and the gape furnished with strong bristles ; wings 

 long, with the fourth and fifth quills generally the longest ; 

 the tarsi and toes short, and strongly scutellated. 



Genus DICRURUS, Vieillot. 



Bill moderate, with the culmen more or less elevated, 

 keeled, and curved to- the tip, which is emarginated, the 

 lateral margins curved, the gonys lengthened, and slightly 

 advancing upwards; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, and 

 concealed by projecting plumes and bristles; wings long, 

 with the first three quills graduated, and the fourth and 

 fifth equal and longest ; tail long and forked in some species 

 with the outermost feathers prolonged, and webbed only at 

 their ends ; tarsi very short, longer than the middle toe, and 

 covered with transverse scales ; toes moderate, the lateral 

 ones unequal, and both united at the base, especially the 

 Outer, which is united as far as the second joint; the hind 

 toe as long as the middle one, strong, and armed with a 

 strong curved claw. 



301. DicrurUS MuslCUS, Vieil. ; Musicapa Emar- 

 ginata, Licht. ; Le Drongear, Le Vail., PI. 167, 168. 



ENTIRELY black, with forked tail, sometimes spotted with 

 white on the breast and belly. Length, 10i"; wing, 5" 9'" ; 

 tail, 4" 9"'. 



This drongo shrike is very abundant in the Knysna forests, and 

 extends to Swellendam, Beaufort, and the Karroo. I have also seen it 

 from Damaraland and Natal. It is a bold, fearless bird, darting about 

 in the forest after insects, or chasing each other from tree to tree, 

 uttering loud cries, which to some ears are anything but musical. Le 

 Vaillant says they assemble in flocks, morning and evening, to catch 

 the bees as they go out from, or return to, their hives. He says they 

 make their nests in forks at the extremity of horizontal branches. They 

 are composed of roots and flexible twigs, and of such a loose texture, 

 that the eggs are plainly visible from below. The number of eggs is 

 generally four, sprinkled with black dots, nearly all of a square form. 



302. Dicrurus Ludwigii; Edoiius 



Smith, S. A. J., Vol. 2, p. 144 ; Zool. Z. A., PL 34. 

 BLACK, with a shining green gloss, most distinct on the upper 



