47 
in a place I never saw this species building in before, viz. on the 
outside branches of the babool tree. The nest was composed of a 
thorny twig or two of babool and thick bents of grass.’’ Another nest 
was made in a thorny bush, about 5 feet from the ground, and close 
to the stem of the bush; it was composed of twigs of the thorn bush, 
pieces of cotton and a piece of rag, with grass interwoven into it. 
This nest contained three eggs. It is now in the Museum of the 
Zoological Society. The eggs are a little less than an inch in length, 
by a little less than 8, in. wide, of a white ground, spotted and mot- 
tled, especially at the large end, with grey and red-brown. 
I believe that this Butcher Bird, like the last-mentioned, migrates 
from the Deccan during the monsoon, returning about September. 
It would form a very interesting subject for investigation, as to what 
families of birds leave the Deccan during the monsoon, whither they 
betake themselves, and for what purposes. I have frequently made 
inquiries, but could not learn anything satisfactory on this subject. 
Subfamily Dicrurinz. 
Genus Dicrurvus. 
DicRURUS MACRORERCUS. DronGco SHRIKE. 
This bird is not much indebted to variety or richness of colouring 
in its plumage, for bringing it into notice; but its pleasant cheerful 
note and active habits must have been remarked by all observers of 
nature in India. Ere the peep of day it commences its pleasant 
twitter, and from sunrise to sunset it may be seen, now sitting on a 
bare spray watching for some passing insect, now perched on the 
back of a browsing cow or sheep, and then off in an instant in pursuit 
of a fly. I have seen one chase and capture a large white butterfly, 
which it appeared to have some difficulty in swallowing when caught, 
as it did not attempt to pull it to pieces, but was endeavouring to 
bolt it entire. They appear to have great antipathy to crows, chasing 
them with great vigour and boldness whenever one enters within their 
domain. I subjoin a note, made at the time, of the curious flight of 
these birds when hawking after flies. ‘Saw one of them (Drongo) 
perched on the outside branch of a tree hanging over a field of wheat ; 
suddenly the Shrike descended close to the ears of corn on which the 
flies had settled in the heat of the sun, and commenced a most 
curious jerking flight up and down, as if it had been tossed up and 
down on the waves of the sea. After performing this dancing flight 
for some little time, it returned to its seat, and after remaining there 
a short time, descended and repeated its jerking flight.” The 
Marahta name is Kolsa, the word for charcoal, alluding I suppose to 
its jet-black colour. The Drongo begins to build in the month of 
May, and Dr. Jerdon mentions having found its nest as late as August. 
I found its nest in a bush in a thick hedgerow; it was composed of 
roots, and contained three eggs of a rather reddish creamy-white 
ground, spotted with red spots; the egg is ;9; in. long by rather more 
than ;4, broad. The food of the Drongo consists of insects, moths, 
and butterflies. 
