GREAT DICRURUS.— Dicjiuw^' grandis. 



seed-stalks while engaged in digging out their food. It does not, however, depend upon 

 • the grass-tree for its subsistence, as it feeds largely upon insects, chasing them in the air 

 with nearly as much activity as the ordinary swallow, or pursuing the quick-limbed 

 beetles on the ground, digging out the hidden larvae from beneath bark, or under the soil, 

 and picking them from the leaves on wliich they feed. The nest of this species is deeper 

 than that of the common wood swallow, and the mottlings of the eggs have more of a 

 ruddy hue. The position of the nest is generally in a thick low bush, or among the 

 foliage of the grass-tree. 



The beautiful bird which is represented in the illustration is the Great Dicrurus of 

 the East Indies. 



In its general outline this beautiful bird bears some analogy to the Leona nightjar 

 which has been figured on page 126 of the present work, having two long feathery 

 appendages, naked throughout the greater portion of their length and webbed only 

 at their extremity. There is, however, this great difference, that in the Leona nightjar 

 they proceed from the wings, whereas in the Great Dicrurus they are merely prolongations 

 of the external tail-feathers. The colour of this bird is deep blue-black, like that of the 

 raven, and its weird-like aspect is further strengthened by a large and well-developed crest 

 that starts from the top of the head and bends backward over the neck. A few of its 

 feathers project slightly forwards so as to come beyond the base of the beak. 



Another species of Dicrurus is well known in India by the name of King Crow 

 (Dicrurus macrocercus), a title which it has earned by its boldness in attacking the crows, 



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