DICRURUS LUDWIGII.—S m i t h .
A v e s E - P l a t e XXXIY.—M a l e .
D. niger, nitente coeruleo-viridi variegatus; abdoxnine, corporis lateribus, caucUe tectricibus inferioribus,
femoribusque griseo-nigris. Remigibus primariis, secundariisque nigro-brunneis, exteme nitente-
coeruleo marginatis; rectricibus viridi-nigris. Rostro pedibusque rubro-brunneis. Oculis brunneis.
Longitudo 7 unc. 2 lin.
Dicrurus Ludwigii, Smith. Proceedings of South African Institution, 1834.
C o l o u r .— Black, with a gloss of blueish-green, the latter brightest on the
head, back 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.
F o r m , & 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. Tail slightly forked,
the points of the feathers, especially the lateral ones, slightly divaricated.
Tarsi anteriorly faintly scutellated, posteriorly entire. Toes slender, the
hinder one strongest, the outer and middle ones united as far as the first
joint; claws rather slender and moderately curved. Bristles at angle of
mouth strong and rigid.