156 cassell's book of birds. 



occasionally burst forth upon the arid plains of their native lands, for they know well that the 

 devouring flames will drive forth a host of insects, and thus afford a rich and abundant supply of 

 food. Philipps mentions an amusing instance of the cunning displayed by some of these birds whilst 

 engaged in the pursuit of a meal. Upon one occasion, he tells us, he saw a locust closely pursued 

 by a bird that was almost near enough to seize it, when an observant Drongo, having espied the 

 tempting morsel, and finding it impossible to reach the spot in time, suddenly uttered the cry of 

 terror usually employed to signal the approach of a Hawk ; the ruse succeeded ; the other bird 

 instantly darted away to seek safe shelter, leaving the wily Urongo in undisturbed possession of the 

 coveted booty. 



The season of the year at which the incubation of these birds takes place is somewhat uncertain, 

 and naturalists differ very considerably, in their opinions on this point. According to our own 

 observations and experience, they breed but once in the year. The nest, like that of the Pirol, is 

 suspended between two branches at some distance from the ground, and so placed as to be fully 

 exposed to all the changes of wind and weather ; nevertheless, the exterior is very carelessly formed 

 of twigs and fibres, and has no lining except at most a few coarse hairs. The eggs, three or four in 

 number, have a white or reddish white shell, spotted with brown or red. Many species of the 

 Drongo are caught and reared ; the Bee-eater in particular is very commonly seen in the houses in 

 Calcutta and other Indian cities. Blyth tells us that it is readily tamed, and soon becomes a most 

 amusing companion, from the power it possesses of imitating not only the voices of other birds, which 

 it does so exactly as to deceive their mates, but also any sound it hears. 



The SWALLOW SHRIKES (Artami) constitute a family of strangely-formed birds, that inhabit 

 New Holland, India, and the Malay Islands. Their muscular bodies are furnished with very long 

 wings, in which the second quill is longer than the rest. Their short or moderate-sized tails are 

 either quite straight or slightly incised at the extremity. The beak is short, almost conical, rounded 

 at the sides, the upper mandible slightly bent at the tip, and incised at the margins. The feet are 

 strong, with short tarsi and toes, the latter armed with sharp and very hooked claws. The plumage 

 is thick, and of a dusky hue. 



THE WOOD SWALLOW SHRIKE. 



The Wood Swallow Shrike {Artamus sordidus) is of a reddish grey upon the body ; the tail 

 and wings are dark blueish black, the third and fourth quill being edged with white upon the 

 outer web. The tail-feathers, with the exception of the two in the centre, are broadly tipped with • 

 white. The eye is dark brown, the beak blue at its base and black at its tip ; the feet are greyish 

 white. The female is smaller than her mate, and presents a spotted appearance upon the back, 

 the feathers on that part having a dirty white streak upon their shafts. The colour of the surface 

 of the body is a mixture of white and brown. This bird is about six inches long and thirteen and 

 a half broad. 



The various species of Swallow Shrike, though differing slightly in some of their habits and in 

 their mode of life, still bear so strong a family likeness to each other as will permit us to describe 

 them collectively. All prefer woodland districts, and usually select localities in which their favourite 

 trees abound. One species in particular is called by the natives the Palmyra Swallow, from the 

 fact that it always seeks the shelter of the Palmyra palm. Such members of the family as inhabit 

 Java select trees growing in open tracts, covered with short grass and brushwood ; one of their 

 favourite trees is then chosen as a sleeping-place or gathering-point, and from thence they fly over 

 the surrounding country in search of food. Jerdon tells us that the fancy of the Swallow Shrike 



