DICRURUS LUDWIGIL— Smith. ^ 



AvES. — Plate XXXIV. — Male. 



D. nio'er, nitcntc cajruleo-viridi variegatus ; abclomine, corporis lateribus, caiicte tcctriclbus inferioribus, 

 fcmoribusque griseo-nigris, Remigibus primariis, secundariisquo nigro-bnmneis, externe nitente- 

 ccEruleo marginatis; rectricibus viridi-nigris. Rostro pedibiisquc rubro-bruimeis. Oculis brunneis. 



LoNGiTUDO 7 unc. 2 lin. 



DiCRURrs LuDwiGii, Smith. Proceedings of South African Institution, 1834. 



Colour. — Black, with a gloss of blueish-green, the latter brightest on the 

 head, back of the neck, interscapulars, shoulders, quill-coverts, tertiary quill- 

 feathers and breast, and on these it varies in intensity according to the light 

 in which the bird is examined ; belly, flanks, under tail coverts, and thighs, 

 greyish-black. Primary and secondary cjuill-feathers blackish-brown, the 

 outer vanes narrowly edged with steel-blue. Tail deep greenish-black, with a 

 faint metallic lustre, which is more distinct in some lights than in others. 

 Bill, legs, and claws, reddish-black. Eyes deep brown. 



Form, &c.— Typical. Figure moderately robust. Bill short and stout, 

 broad towards the base, compressed towards the point, the upper mandible 

 hooked, and the lateral tooth well developed. Wings rather long, and, when 

 folded, reach to the commencement of the last third of the tail ; the third and 

 fourth quill feathers equal and longest, the second and fifth slightly shorter, 

 and the first about half the length of the longest ones. Tail slightly forked, 

 the points of the feathers, especially the lateral ones, slightly divaricated. 

 Tarsi anteriorly faintly scutellated, posteriorly entire. Toes slender, the 

 hinder one strongest, the outer and middle ones united as far as the first 

 joint; claws rather slender and moderately curved. Bristles at angle o£ 

 mouth strong and rigid. 



