DISSEMUEUS PARADISEUS. 401 



close to the sea-coast in places where the jungle is heavy. I have found it on the Lunugalla pass up to 2000 feet, 

 and it doubtless ranges to the same elevation on the entire eastern and northern slopes of the central zone. In 

 the Western Province I never met with it; but in 1872 I obtained an example in the forest of Kottowe, near 

 Galle, a remarkably isolated position, some 50 miles distant from the limits of its general range. It is there- 

 fore possible that it may still be found in some of the lower forests between that point and Kurunegala, thus 

 extending its range throughout all the low country. I have no certain evidence of its occurrence in the higher 

 jungles of the coffee- districts ; but it may possibly ascend the Haputale ranges to a considerable altitude in the 

 dry season, and in the neighbourhood of Kandy it has been procured by Mr. Whyte's collectors. Layard 

 procured it first at Anaradjapura, and wrote of it as being confined to the Vanni ; it was also in the northern 

 forests that Mr. Holdsvvorth met with it. 



On the continent this fine bird ranges through India* into Burmah and Tenasserim, and spreads east- 

 wards through Siam, whence many specimens have found their way into European collections ; on going 

 south through the peninsula of Malacca we lose it in its typical form, and find this region inhabited by the 

 smaller race (D. platyurus). It has a peculiar range as far as the peninsula of India is concerned ; and this 

 is defined by Mr. Hume as the " whole of Southern India and the Western Ghats as far north as Kandeish ;" 

 beyond this it is replaced by the large crested ally (D. malabaroides) , again to appear in most of Burmah and 

 Tenasserim. Jerdon says that it is found in all jungles of the west coast, from Travancore up to Goa, especially 

 in the Wynaad and other elevated districts. In the Travancore hills themselves, Mr. Bourdillon found it 

 common, both at the foot of the hills and up to 3000 feet elevation, and Mr. Fairbank observed it in the Palani 

 hills. In the Deccan it is, of course, wanting ; and in Chota Nagpur we find, in accordance with Mr. Hume's 

 outline above noticed, the larger crested race, while further west no racket-tailed Drongo is found at all. In 

 Tenasserim, Messrs. Hume and Davison say that it is common alike on hills and plains, frequenting chiefly the 

 forests, but occurring also in gardens and scrub-jungle. With regard to Siam, I am unable to give particulars 

 of its local distribution in that kingdom ; but I have seen specimens from Bangkok and other localities, and I 

 have no doubt it has been met with in whatever forest-districts Europeans have been able to collect. 



Habits. — Wherever the forest is luxuriant in the north and east of the island, this splendid bird delights 

 to reign ; he is a petty monarch among the numerous feathered denizens of the w r oods — now exercising his 

 varied talents in closely mocking their notes, now dashing at some diligent Woodpecker who has ventured to 

 " fix " himself for a moment on a trunk too near the swarthy tyrant ; and while he thus amuses himself, he 

 does not miss a chance of capturing a passing beetle or locust by the exercise of a few strokes of his powerful 

 wings. It is consequently on the banks of the romantic forest-lined rivers, or the sylvan borders of the lonely 

 village tanks, which are both features of the wilds of Ceylon, that the Racket-tailed Drongo is met with ; or it 

 may, with equal certainty, be found on the sides of the low hills, clothed with tall timber-trees, which every- 

 where intersect the low-country jungles not far from the base of the mountain system. When seen flying 

 about from limb to limb of the lofty monarchs of the forest, it gives one the impression of spending a very 

 happy existence, displaying its long tail-feathers as it launches itself into the air and sweeps down with a graceful 

 flight on its insect prey. When seated, it is constantly jerking up its tail, and jumping to and fro on its 

 perch, while it calls to its companion, who is performing doubtless the like antics in some neighbouring tree. 

 Its notes are wonderfully varied; and at one time or another I have heard it mock almost every bird in the 

 forest. Mr. Parker writes me that its favourite note in the jungles near TJswewa is that of the Crested Eagle 

 [Spizactus ceijlonensis) . It has a metallic-sounding call, somewhat similar to that of the last species, which it 

 utters in the early morning, usually from the top of a tall tree ; and this is so different from its general notes 

 that it is difficult to identify it with the bird, w r hich is not easily caught sight of at the time. With regard to its 

 antipathy for Woodpeckers, I may remark that I have not unfrequently seen it following about both species 

 of our Red Woodpeckers, and darting at them while they were searching for food on the trunks of the trees. 



The imitative powers of this species are matter of comment with nearly every writer who has observed it 

 in its native wilds. Mr. Bourdillon writes, " I have often been amused to hear it imitate the cry of the Iiarrier- 



* Although I consider that ultimately the Ceylon bird will probably stand as a distinct and small-tailed race or 

 subspecies, I will here treat of its range as appertaining to the Indian form. 



