DlSSEML'Eirs PAEADISEUS. 
403 
Eagle, and see it make a sudden charge down on some smaller bird, either in sheer mischief, or to secure some 
insect which the latter has captured. 1 have also heard one imitate exactly the evening note of the Ground- 
Thrush [Brachyurus coronata). During the breeding- season they are very bold, and a pan think nothing of 
attacking and driving off from the neighbourhood of their nest the Hamer- or Black Kite-Eagle I once 
had an adult bird brought to me which had been captured with limed twigs. 44itliin a few liours of capture 
it would take cockroaches and other insect food from the hand, and soon got very tame Mr. ^avisoi^^ho 
remarks that its powers of imitation are perfectly marvellous, writes, - 1 have heard it take oft 
belangeri so that I am sure the birds themselves would not have detected the imposture Bab 
Thrushes, by the way, always associate with other kindred species in laige oc s, an uii , < ° each 
through the forest ; and yo^i will invariably find two or more of the Drongos following or accompanying each 
such flock.^-’ . 
It is noteworthy that this bird always sweeps down from its perch at its prey ; I never saw i y 1 < 
it, although it generally mounts again with the impetus imparted by its first onset. 
Concerning the nidification of either the Ceylonese or Indian races of this species, I am, I 
unable to give any information. As I have shot the young in nesUing plumage in July it is patent that the 
breeding-season is at the commencement of theS.W. monsoon rains, ibe noithein oim o ns iJ g , 
D. malabaroides, builds, according to Jerdon, who had the nest brought to him at Darji mg, a arge s luc ur 
of twigs and roots.” Doubtless our bird has a similar habit, and its eggs are very probably three in number. 
of in tliis article, and 
are 
The accompanying woodcuts are explanatory of the various points treated 
carefully di*awn to life-size. , „ p , , • 
On the Plate accon,pa„,ing the preceding article will be fennd a figure of the abnormal ton ot, 
.pecies referred to above. A. the subject i. in the background, the full development of the ere.t, aa it appca.a 
on the opposite page, cannot be shown in the drawing. 
P A S S E R E S. 
Earn. MUSCICAPIDJ5. 
Bill straight, wide, depressed ; tip decurved and distinctly notched , gape furni.shed with 
bristles directed forwards. Wings more or less pointed, the 1st quill fairly developed. Tail 
variable. Legs and feet small and feeble. Tarsus shielded with smooth broad scales. 
Genus TEEPSIPHOKE*. 
Bill large, compressed suddenly near the tip; culmen well keeled; rictal bristles ^g.- 
Nostrils protected by a few rather long bristles. Wings pointed, the 1st quill about ha f the 
length of the 2nd; the 4th and 5th longest, and the 3rd shorter than the 6th. iai ong, witi 
the tw'o central feathers greatly elongated in the adult males, faisus longei t lan le mi c e 
toe, which is nearly equalled by the outer. 
*• The generic term Terpdylwne, Gloger, has precedence of Tchitrea, Lesson, by four years. The older term Musdvora 
is restricted by Mr. Sharpe to New-World Elycatebers— the Crested Tyrants. ^ 
