BIRDS COLLECTED IN BENGAL. 203 



is always plastered round with mud. Five is the full comple- 

 ment of eggs. 



Dicrurus ater, Herm. (Black Drongo). — Very common. They 

 are most pugnacious birds, always fighting amongst themselves, 

 and attacking every bird they come across — even birds as big as 

 Kites. This is the earliest bird to rise, and the last to retire. 

 Its note is very often heard long before daylight. It breeds in 

 April, May, June, and July. 



D. ccerulescens, Linn. (White-bellied Drongo). — A pair were 

 shot by Mr. C. M. Inglis in the Madubuni Sub-division. 



Dissemurus paradiseus, Linn. (Racket-tailed Drongo). — Mr. 

 Inglis writes : — " Five were seen at Sarso, five miles west of 

 Jhanjrurpur, on Jan. 9th, 1899." 



Acrocephalus dumetorum, Blyth (Blyth's Reed-Warbler). — 

 Very common during winter. 



Orthotomus sutorius, Forst. (Indian Tailor-Bird). — Very com- 

 mon. Breeds during March, April, May, and June. One nest 

 I knew of was built on a Croton plant, which was in a pot 

 standing in the verandah of a house. Four is the usual comple- 

 ment of eggs. 



Cisticola cursitans, Frankl. (Rufous Faintal- Warbler). — Very 

 common. Breeds in March, July, and August. 



Prinia inornata, Sykes (Indian Wren- Warbler). — Common. 

 Breeds in June and July. The nest is built among long grasses, 

 and on the indigo plants. Three to four is the full complement 

 of eggs. 



Lanius nigriceps, Frankl. (Black-headed Shrike). — I have 

 seen this bird several times during winter among sugar-cane. 



L. tephronotus, Vig. (Grey-backed Shrike). — Rarer than the 

 last, and also a cold weather visitor. 



L. cristatus, Linn. (Brown Shrike). — Common during winter. 

 It sometimes arrives as early as the end of August, but this is 

 exceptional, the majority of birds arriving in October. 



Tephrodornis pondicerianus, Gruel. (Common Wood-Shrike). 

 Scarce. I have only two specimens in my collection. 



Pericrocotus speciosus, Lath. (Scarlet Minivet). — One speci- 

 men seen by Mr. Inglis in the district. 



P. peregrinus, Linn. (Small Minivet). — Very common in all 

 mango groves. Breeds during April, May, and June. The nest 



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