jlj^ VEUTEI5RATA. 



i-l,Ksi-lv Hlli«-.i to tl..- luaiiakins, luit .litV.T tV..in th.'m in tint structure of their feet, the outer toe 

 |.,ii.i;'unit.-.l to th.> ini.l.lle one :it th.- I..im-. '11.. v arc found in both liemisphcrcs, but are raost 

 abuiiilant in Australia an.I l'ul\ ii.sia. They arc small l.inls, inhabit woods and forests, and feed 

 on fruits M'ods, buds, and insects. One of the Australian species, KopmUaria Amtralls, is called 

 the Vki.i.ow llonix bv the colonists; another species found in Van Uieinen's Land— the Parda- 

 lotiis pitncliitii.o, called the J >iAM(>M)-r.iKu, on account of the spots on its head— excavates a hori- 

 zontal i>a.ssaiic two feet \oiur in the trunk of a tree, at the end of which it builds its nest. This 

 bird frciuents the fr,im-trees, and freely approaches the habitations of man. Several species of 

 the genus ZrW>/Ar/x are found in India; they feed on insects, and for the purpose of seizing these, 

 are often occupied in carefully examining the opening buds of the trees, whence they are called 

 Bud Jlnnhrs. 





THE CKES7ED DROXGO. 



THE DICRURINJ3 OR DRONGO SHRIKES. 



These approach the true shrikes; they are found only in the eastern hemisphere, and are partic- 

 ularly abundant in the East Indies and the islands of the Asiatic Archipelago. Many of them are 

 exceedingly beautiful birds ; their average size is about that of a thrush, and they appear to migrate 

 from one part of the country to another with the monsoons. The commonest of the Indian 

 species, tlie Dio-urns macrocercus, has received the name of King Crow, from its habit of perse- 

 cuting the crows, which it follows with the greatest perseverance and clamor, jwuncing down 

 upon them every now and then, but apparently seldom striking them. The principal food of this 

 and most of the species consists of insects, especially grasshoppers, for which they w^atch from 

 some elevated perch, and on perceiving one, immediately dart down upon it. For this purpose they 

 not unfrcquently estal)lish tliemselves on the backs of cattle, sheep and goats, wdiilst these animals 

 are grazing. They fly with great rapidity, and often capture insects on the wing. Some of the 

 species appear only to have a harsh, screaming note, but others are said to be charming songsters; 

 and one species, the Dicrurus Paradiseus, has received the Hindoo name of '■'■Huzar J)ztista7i" or 

 ''Bird of a thousand tales,^^ from a belief that it is able to imitate the song of all other birds. 



The Dicrurina) live in the jungles, and build their nests, which are composed of grass, twigs, 

 moss, and lichen, in the forks of trees. Their architectural powers appear to be very variable, as 

 the nests of some of the species are described as carelessly put together, while others are said to 

 be very neat. The eggs are from three to five in number, of a white or whitish color, usually 

 spotted with reddish-brown. 



The Crested Drongo, Lanhis forficatus of Gmelin, is an African species, black, with a gi'cen rc- 

 tlection, of the size of a thrush ; they unite in flocks of twenty or thirty, and in attacking the bees 

 present a very animated appearance, their cry of pia, f/riach, ffriah, being constantly repeated. 



