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‘The Fork- tail’d Indian Butcher-Bird. 
F rom the structure of the Bill, the Briftles which fhoot fror4 its Bafis, and 
the Strength of its Legs, I have determined to give it the above Name ; though 
the Tail be quite contrary to the Make of the Butcher-Bird's \ this having its longeft 
Feathers on the Sides, and the fhorteft in the Middle. 
This Plate prefents you with the Figure of the Bird drawn as near to the Size of 
Nature as I could do it by the Eye j it being firmly inclofed in Glafs, I could not well 
meafure its Parts : It hath a thick, flrong Bill, arched fomething like a Hawk*^ Bill, 
but not fo much over hanging, and longer in Proportion to its Thickncfs^ with pretty 
large Noflrils : The Bafis of the upper Mandible hath many fliff Hairs round it, tending 
forward; bothupperand lower Mandibles are of adufkyBrown, or Black, lighter towards 
the Bafis, and becoming gradually darker towards the Point. The whole Head, Neck, 
Back, and covert Feathers of the Wings are of a bright fhining Black, refledting Blue, 
Purple, and Green, as they are varioufly turned and expofed to different Lights. The 
greater Qmlls, with fome of the firfl Row of covert Feathers next above them, are of 
a ruffy Black, without any Luflre, though the Qmlls next the Body are of the Colour 
of the Head and Back: The Tail Feathers are fhorter in the Middle than on the Sides, 
which makes it appear notably forked, all of a dull, rufty Black > the two outermoft 
Feathers being tipped with a dirty White : The Breafl is of a dark Afh-colour, or 
blackifh : The whole Belly, Thighs, and covert Feathers under the Tail, are- White: 
The Sides and the Thighs are a little clouded with dufky Spots : The Legs, Feet, and 
Claws are of a dufky, blackifh Colour. 
I was doubtful whether to range this Bird with the Butcher-Bird^ or Magpye Kind, 
for it feems equally of kin to both, and I think the Magpye may juflly be ranged with 
the Butcher-Bird^ feeing they agree in almofl all Refpe<fls ; though no Englijhman hath 
obferved it, yet the French^ by calling them all Pyes^ feem to have better difcovered the 
Conformity of their Natures. I take this Bird to be a non defcript. It is in the Collec- 
tion of Mr. Dandridge^ whofe obliging Nature has given me frequent Occafions to 
mention his Name. It was brought from Bengal, and is called in that Country Lan- 
guage, Fingah, 
The 
