SOUTHERN DRONGO.

Basilan (Everett, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, McGregor); Bohol (McGregor); Leyte (Steere Exp., Whitehead); Mindanao (Murray, Everett, Koch & Schadenberg, Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Goodfellow, Celestino); Nipa (Everett); Panaon (Everett); Samar (Steere Exp., Bourns & Worcester, Whitehead).

Adult.—Similar to Dicrurus balicassius, but mantle, back, and rump velvety blue-black with a very slight gloss; feathers of crown scale-like and glossy; long lanceolate feathers on sides of neck dark glossy green; under parts blue-black; throat and chest spangled with glossy steel-blue. A male from Bohol measures: Wing, 134; tail, 103; depth of fork, 6; bill from nostril, 22; depth of bill at nostril, 10; tarsus, 22. A female from Basilan, wing, 135; tail, 112; bill from nostril, 21; depth of bill at nostril, 10; tarsus, 21.

In general appearance the southern drongo resembles a Chibia, but the tail is even less forked than in D. balicassius.

This species was very abundant near Isabela, Basilan. A female, taken January 15, differs from the usual specimens in having the feathers of lower breast and abdomen tipped with gray. A pensile nest of this species, found on March 12, is composed of plant fibers. Its inside diameter is 76 mm. and its inside depth is 50 mm. The three eggs are light cream, almost white, in color, decorated with faint spots of pale lilac and brighter spots of reddish brown, mostly near the larger end of the egg. The eggs measure: 28.9 by 19.3; 29.2 by 19; 29.4 by 19.5.

“Habits like those of D. balicassius. Abundant in Mindanao and Basilan. Two males from the latter island average: Length, 250; wing, 130; tail, 116; culmen, 32; tarsus, 22; middle toe with claw, 23. Three females, length, 250; tail, 113; wing, 132; culmen, 34; tarsus, 21; middle toe with claw, 23.6. Iris, legs, feet, and nails black; bill black, except tip of lower mandible, which is often white.” (Bourns and Worcester MS.)

718. DICRURUS SULUENSIS Hartert.
SULU DRONGO.