488 JOURNAL, BOMB A Y NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, Vol XVI. 



512. Artamus fuseus. — The Ashy Swallow-Shrike. — This bird is not 

 very common within Municipal limits, but is found in numbers all 

 along the Buckingham Canal. 



This bird keeps to tree-tops, now and again making little sallies into 

 the air. Its wings when outspread resemble in shape those of a 

 Bee-eater. Indeed the manner of flight of the Ashy Swallow-Shrike 

 forcibly calls to mind that of the common green Bee-eater. 



518. Oriolus kundoo. — The Indian Oriole. — This bird is not often 

 seen in Madras during the hot weather, but is fairly common in the 

 winter. Curiously enough I do not remember having heard its mellow 

 note during the 18 months I was in Madras : on the other hand one 

 frequently hears the bird's harsh note which is like unto the mewing 

 of a wheezy cat. It would seem that the mellow note is uttered only 

 during the breeding season, and that this species does not nest in 

 Madras. 



521. Oriolus melamcephalus. — The Black-headed Oriole. — This is 

 far from being common in Madras. 



528. Pastor roseas. — The Rose-coloured Stalling, — This bird is not 

 common about Madras. 



532. Sturnia menzbieri. — The Common Indian Starling. — A bird 

 rarely seen in Madras. 



538. Sturnus malabarica. — The Grey-headed Myna. — A winter 

 visitor only. In the cold weather it is fairly abundant. Its habits 

 appear to be strictly arboreal. I do not remember ever having seen a 

 Grey-headed Myna on the ground. It is frequently found in company 

 with the Black headed Myna. 



They occur in flocks and are noisy creatures. Their voices are 

 harsh, the notes they emit being a hoarse cackle, like the commence- 

 ment of the cry of ihe spotted owlet. 



514. Temehuchus pagodarum. — The Black-headed or Brahminy 

 Myna. — This is one of the commonest birds about Madras, being even 

 more numerous than the following species. 



Brahminy Mynas do not seem to be very particular as regards what 

 they eat. Numbers of them will usually be seen in the neighbour- 

 hood of the conservancy trenches ! Last July a couple of these birds 

 had a nes f in the hole through the ledge or cornice of the spire of the 

 Fort Church, through which the lighti ing conductor runs. Both 

 parents feed the young ones. 



