ventured to fix himself for a moment on a trunk too near the swarthy tyrant; 
and while he thus amuses himself he does not miss a chance of capturing a 
passing beetle or locust by the exercise of a few strokes of his powerful w-i- 
w ings. 
It. is consequently on the banks of the romantic forest lined rivers, or te 
the sylvan borders- of the lonely village tanks, which are both features of 
the wilds of Ceylon, that the Racket tailed Drongo is met with; or it may 
with equal certainty be found on the sides of the low hills clothed with tall 
timber trees, which everywhere intersect the low country jungles not far 
from the base of the mountain system* 
When seeing flying about from limb to limb of the lofty monarchs of the 
forest, it gives one the impression of spending a very happy existence, dls^l 
playing its long tail feathers as it launches itself into the air, and sweeps 
down with a graceful flight on its insect prey. When seated, it is const¬ 
antly jerking up its tail, and jumping to and fro on its perch, while it 
calls to its companion who is performing the same antics on a neighbouring 
tree. 
Its notes are wonderfully varied; and at one time or another I have heard 
It mock almost every bird in the forest. Mr Parker writes that Its favour¬ 
ite note In the jungles near Uswewa is that of the Crested Eagle (Splzaetus 
Ceylonensls). It has a metallic sounding call, somewhat resembling that 
of the last species, which It utters in the early morning, usually from the 
top of a high tree, and this Is so different from its general notes that it 
is difficult to identify it with the bird, which is not easily caught sight 
of at the time* With regard to Its 'antipathy' for Woodpeckers, I may remark 
that I have not unfrequently seen it following about both species of our Red 
Woodpeckers, and darting at them while they were searching for food on the 
trunks of trees. 
The imitative powers of this species are a matter of comment with nearly 
every writer T,, ho has observed it in Its native wilds. Mr Bourdlllon writes 
»I have often been amused to hear it imitate the cry of the Harrier Eagle, 
and see it make a charge down oh some smaller bird, either In sheer mischief 
or to secure some Insect which the latter had captured. I have also heard 
one imitate exactly the evening note of the Ground Thrush (Brachyurus Coro- 
nata). During the breeding .season they are very bold, and a pair think no¬ 
thing of .attacking and driving off from the neighbourhood of their nest the 
Harrier or Black Kite Eagle. I once had an adult bird brought to me whica 
had been captured with limed twigs. Within a few hours it would take cock- 
