'258 
WALKING DRONGO. 
observation, imported direct from Senegal, so as to 
leave no doubt as to the propriety of its entering 
into our present volume. 
The ornithologist will derive much instruction 
and interest from possessing this bird, and from 
comparing it with auy one of the true Drongo 
Shrikes. The bills of both are formed upon the 
same model ; but this is considerably smaller ; the 
rictal bristles are proportionably equal, but in this 
type those which are in front are not directed over 
the nostrils. The wings of both are of the same 
general structure, hut in this they are considerably 
shorter, and reach but a little way beyond the base of 
the tail, while this latter member, although equally 
long, is considerably rounded. This partial resem- 
blance between the two genera extends to the feet ; 
the hind-toe of both are alike, and fully developed ; 
but in Dicrurus it is as long, while in Melanoma it 
is much shorter, than the tarsus. In both, again, 
the outer toe is connected to the middle, as far as 
the first joint, but in this the two external toes are 
equal, and the middle one considerably longer than 
the hinder ; -whereas, in Dicrurus the inner toe is 
shortest, and the middle one nearly equal to the 
hinder. From this comparison we gather the fact, — 
highly important to our view of the natural arrange- 
ment of this unique form, — that by the length of 
the foot and the structure of the toes, Melasonia is 
enabled to walk upon the ground ; a faculty which 
we know, both from analogy and collateral evidence, 
is not possessed by the Drongo Shrikes. 
