Capt. R. C. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 419 



271. Pericrocotus speciosus. Large Minivet. 



Darjeeling collection, 1862. Tolerably plentiful at Maknee, 

 in Maunbhoom, in January 1865, in flocks nearly all composed 

 of females or young males. I observed a flock, early one morn- 

 ing, feeding on, or clinging to, the stalks of a grass close to the 

 ground. In the daytime they are very actively engaged in 

 searching for insects in thick trees : the various species of 

 Fici appear to be preferred. Usual length from 8*5 to 8*75 

 inches. 



273. Pericrocotus brevirostris. Short-billed Minivet. 

 Darjeeling collection, 1862. In Maunbhoom 1 found it in 



the same locality and at the same time as the last species, in 

 small flocks, chiefly frequenting mango-trees. The female has 

 a yellow wing-band, the abdomen white, and the outer tail- 

 feathers with more or less yellow, most on the outer pair of 

 lengthened ones. Both this and the last species appear to prefer 

 the well-wooded, jungle-covered hills. I have not seen them 

 elsewhere, with the exception of an occasional straggler. 



274. Pericrocotus Solaris. Yellow-throated Minivet. 

 Darjeeling collection, 1862. 



276. Pericrocotus peregrinus. Small Minivet ; " Raja- 

 ranee"*. 



Tolerably common in flocks, on high trees, in the hilly parts 

 of Maunbhoom, but not confined to these, as it is occasionally 

 met with all over the district, wherever suitable localities present 

 themselves. 



278. DiCRURUs macrocercus. Common Drongo, or King- 

 Crow. 



" Dhenkchooar '^ and also '' Pabdhooa " in Maunbhoom, 

 where it is common, especially when the pullas-tree is in flower, 

 feeding greedily, not, I imagine, actually on the flowers them- 



* " Raja-ranee, " i. e. " King and Queen, " with reference probably to 

 the difference of colour of the sexes. I think the name is used indiscri- 

 minately for all the species of Pericrocoti known in Maunbhoom to the 

 natives. . 



