118 VERTEBRATA. 
closely allied to the manakins, but differ from them in the structure of their feet, the outer toe 
being united to the middle one at the base. They are found in both hemispheres, but are most 
abundant in Australia and Polynesia. They are small birds, inhabit woods and forests, and feed 
on fruits, seeds, buds, and insects. One of the Australian species, Eopsaltaria Australis, is called 
the Yellow Robin by the colonists ; another species found in Van Diemen's Land — the Parda- 
lotus punctatus, called the Diamond-Bird, on account of the spots on its head — -excavates a hori- 
zontal passage two feet long in the trunk of a tree, at the end of which it builds its nest. This 
bird frequents the gum-trees, and freely approaches the habitations of man. Several species of 
the genus Lciothrix are found in India ; they feed on insects, and for the purpose of seizing these, 
are often occupied in carefully examining the opening buds of the trees, whence they are called 
Bud Hunters. 
THE CEESTED DKONGO, 
THE DICRURIN^ OR DRONGO SHRIKES. 
These approach the true shrikes ; they arc found only in the eastern hemisphere, and are partic- 
ularly abundant in the East Indies and the islands of the Asiatic Archipelago. Many of them are 
exceedingly beautiful birds ; their average size is about that of a thrush, and they appear to migrate 
from one part of the country to another with the monsoons. The commonest of the Indian 
species, the Dicru7'us macrocercus^ has received the name of King Cuow, from its habit of perse- 
cuting the crows, which it follows with the greatest perseverance and clamor, pouncing down 
upon them every now and then, but apparently seldom striking them. The principal food of this 
and most of the species consists of insects, especially grasshoppers, for which they watch from 
some elevated perch, and on perceiving one, immediately dart down upon it. For this purpose they 
not unfrequently establish themselves on the backs of cattle, sheep and goats, whilst these animals 
are grazing. They fly with great rapidity, and often capture insects on the wing. Some of the 
species appear only to have a harsh, screaming note, but others are said to be charming songsters ; 
and one species, the DicruriLS Paradiseus, has received the Hindoo name of '■'•Huzar Dustan^^ or 
'■'■Bird of a thousand tales^^'' from a belief that it is able to imitate the song of all other birds. 
The Dicrurinse live in the jungles, and build their nests, which are composed of grass, twigs, 
raoss, and lichen, in the forks of trees. Their architectural powers appear to be very variable, as 
the nests of some of the species are described as carelessly put together, while others are said to 
be very neat. The eggs are from three to five in number, of a white or whitish color, usually 
spotted with reddish-brown. 
The Crested Drongo, Lanius forficatus of Gmelin, is an African species, black, with a green re- 
flection, of the size of a thrush ; they unite in flocks of twenty or thirty, and in attacking the bees 
present a very animated appearance, their cry of pia, griach, griali^ being constantly repeated. 
