Dicrurus striatus Tweeddale, Proc. Zool. Soc. (1877), 545;
Challenger Report, Zool. (1881), 2, pt. 8, pl. 4; Whitehead,
Ibis (1899), 102 (habits); McGregor and Worcester, Hand-List
(1906), 107.
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.)