DICRURUS LUDWIGII . — Smith. 
Aves. — Plate XXXIV . — Male. 
D. niger, nitente cceruleo-viridi variegatus; abdomine, corporis lateribus, caudse tectricibus infenonbus, 
femoribusque griseo-nigris. Eemigibus primariis, secundariisque nigro-brunneis, cxterne mtente- 
cceruleo marginatis ; rectricibus viridi-nigris. Rostro pedibusque mbro-brunneis. Oculis brunneis. 
Longitudo 7 unc. 2 lin. 
Dicrurus Ludwigii, Smith. Proceedings of South African Institution, 1834. 
Colour.— Black, with a gloss of blueish- green, the latter brightest on the 
head, hack of the neck, interscapulars, shoulders, quill-coverts, tertiary quill- 
feathers and breast, and on these it varies in intensity according to the light 
in which the bird is examined ; belly, flanks, under tail coverts, and thighs, 
greyish-black. Primary and secondary quill-feathers blackish-brown, the 
outer vanes narrowly edged with steel-blue. Tail deep greenish-black, with a 
faint metallic lustre, which is more distinct in some lights than in others. 
Bill, legs, and claws, reddish-black. Eyes deep brown. 
Form, &c. Typical. Figure moderately robust. Bill short and stout, 
broad towards the base, compressed towards the point, the upper mandible 
hooked, and the lateral tooth well developed. Wings rather long, and, when 
folded reach to the commencement of the last third of the tail ; the third and 
fourth quill feathers equal and longest, the second and fifth slightly shorter, 
and the first about half the length of the longest ones. Ta,l s hghtly forked, 
the po ints of the feathers, especially the lateral ones, slightly divancated. 
Tarsi anteriorly faintly scutellated, posteriorly entire Toes slender the 
hinder one strongest, the outer and middle ones united as far as the firs 
joint- claws rather slender and moderately curved. Bristles at angle of 
mouth strong and rigid. 
