1839.] Mr. Hodgson on Cuculus. 137 



There is this difference, however, as compared with the Dicrurine tail, 

 that in our bird the two extreme feathers are much smaller than any 

 of the rest ; whence the fork of the tail becomes lessened in depth, 

 these plumes not contributing to it. 



The singular assumption of the entire aspect of so remote a genus 

 as Dicrurus on the part of this strictly Cuculine bird will, I fancy, be 

 generally considered extraordinary ; and has suggested the generic name 

 of Pseudornis (iptvcoar falsus) The Cuculus lugubris, although des- 

 cribed as having a wedged tail, will, I think, be found to have a fork- 

 ed one, and to constitute a second species of our proposed new genus, 

 which will be, in that event, placed on a firm basis. 



If it be remarked, that supposing Lugubris to have really a forked 

 tail, it is, in fact, specifically identical with our bird, why then the 

 specific name Dicuro'ides will merge in that of Lugubris, but the new 

 type of form may still claim to be recognised, and surely will do so. 



The green glossed black plumage and the forked tail, are as univer- 

 sally the marks of the Dicrurine sub-family as they are, I believe, 

 universally excluded from the Cuculidce. 



I am, Sir, 

 Your most obedient servant, 



W. B. HODGSON. 



Nepal, March, 1839. 



Art. III. — Reporl on the Coal and Iron Mines of Tdlcheer and 

 Ungool, also remarks on the country through which it was necessary 

 to travel in search of those minerals, the produce, inhabitants, 

 nature of the soil, roads, $c. $c. By Mr. M. Kittoe, Curator 

 and Librarian Asiatic Society's Museum. 



March 31st, 1838. 

 All necessary preparations having been made, and assistance receiv- 

 ed from the superintendent tributary Mehauls, I left Cuttack on 

 the 14th March, in company with Mr. R. Beetson, (contractor for the 

 transport of salt from the coast to Calcutta) and proceeded by regular 

 marches through Dhenkennal, direct from Kuckur on the Mahanud- 

 dee to the Brahmenee at Atturva, encamping first at Kuckur Govind- 

 poor, and secondly at Deogaon, under the famous hill of Kuppilas, near 

 to the summit of which, at an elevation of 1000 or 1200 feet, is a fine 

 spring of fresh water, round which are several ancient temples built 

 by Pertaub Rudr Deo, king of Kalinga, in the sixteenth century of 

 the Christian era. 



