THE LAEQER RACQUET-TAILED DRONGO 
Dissemurus paradiseus platurus (Vie ill.) 
Malay homj^ : — OiSchawi; Hamba k§ra, 
Description:— Tht most characteristic feature of this 
small crow-like bird is the enormous lengfthening of the two 
outer tail quills. These are continued beyond the ends of the 
other tail feathers as long thin shafts, at the extremities of 
which is a large curled "blob" of feather vane — a feature well 
represented in our plate. The entire plumage is glossy black 
but if the bird is held in the hand bJuish reflections can be seen, 
The bill and feet are black; the iris is dark red. 
Total length to the end of the normal tail feathers t2 
inches, including the tail "wires" 23 inches: wing 6^ inches. 
Distribution: — The racquet- tailed drongo is found in 
Ceylon, India^ Burma, Hainan and thence south to the Malay 
Peninsula and the Malaysian Islands; but within thts area it is 
easy to recognise several races or sub-specieSj the birds from 
different countries showing considerable variation in size and 
also in the character of the crest and tail. The actual race 
(phturus) found in Singapore occurs only in the southern part 
of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. 
[Staltis in Singapore : — This black bird with its immensely 
long tail is common enough in the wooded parts of Singapore 
Island, such as near Changi or in the Jurong area. 
field Notes and Habits: — This bird is usually seen alone 
or in pairs flying from tree to tree. When flying it really looks 
as if the bird was trailing behind it a long piece of thin black 
ribbon with a widened tip : once seen it can never be forgotten. 
Its usual note is a loud, shrill series of high calls but it is said 
to imitate in a wild state many other birds' notes in great 
variety. It feeds on insects which it captures as a rule on 
