1841.] Birds in the Museum of the Asiatic Society. 639 



kite, which it drives before it as if defeat was a stranger to [it. We 

 have therefore no difficulty in the derivation of its vulgar name of the 

 King-crow".— a W. Smith's MS. Notes. 



The Dicrurus Indicus is one of the most common birds in Bengal. 

 It is to be seen at all seasons mounted on walls, hedges, and the tops 

 of palings, and elevated things of the kind, watching for insects, which 

 it darts upon by a short quick flight, and returns again to its place. 

 In form the King-crow, as it is termed, is very elegant. It is compact 

 and well proportioned, and greatly ornamented by the rich glossy 

 black of its plumage, and the graceful outward curve of either side 

 of its long forked tail. In manner it is lively and bold, but not 

 familiar. And altogether, the King-crow is one of the most striking, 

 and most pleasing objects of Indian animated nature. 



38 . Chinese collection, 



39. Genus Lanius. 

 Sp. L. Italicus. — Italian Shrike. 

 'iO. Lanius Rufescens. 



41. Lanius Curcutti. Corcutti Shrike. 



Shot by the Curator, and mounted in the Museum. 



42. Lanius . 



Chinese collection. 



43. Lanius . 



Chinese collection. 



44. Fam. Merulid^. 

 Genus Pitta. 

 Sp P. Bengalensis. — Bengal Pitta. 

 Presented by Lieut. Vickery, and mounted in the Museum. 



45. Pitta Eurythrogastra. — Red- bellied Pitta. 

 Chinese collection. 



Pitta Erythrogastra, — Stephens' Shaw's Gen. Zool. XIII. 185. 



46. Pitta . Chesnut-crowned Pitta. 



Presented by Dr. McCosh, and mounted in the Museum. 



This specimen was procured by Dr. McCosh in Assam. It ap- 

 parently differs from any hitherto described species. 



