THE BIRDS OF THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS. 397 



parts," it is probably a permanent resident in the Andamans, though for 

 some reason undoubtedly more in evidence in the summer months. Not 

 recorded from the Nicobars. 



524. EuLABES INTERMEDIA, Hay. Gates, I, p. 511 ; " Str. Feath.," II, 

 p. 254. 



This Grackle is extremely common in both groups. Mr. Gates says that 

 typical Andaman and Nicobar birds have a longer wing and a larger white 

 wing patch than true E. intermedia, but he does not recognize E. andamanensis 

 as a species. 



527. Calornis CHALYBETUS, Horsf, Gates, I, p. 514 J " Str. Feath.," II, 

 p. 253. 



The Glossy Tree-Stare is very numerous in both groups, especially in the 

 Nicobars. According to Mr. Gates, the Andaman race of this bird is, " in 

 addition to being somewhat larger, of a much darker green, almost a black in 

 some lights." 



These starlings appear to grip the bough on which they are seated very 

 tightly. Gn one occasion I fired up into a flock which were feeding among 

 the foliage of a huge Ficus high over my head. The flock left the tree with 

 a whirr of wings, and somewhat to my surprise nothing fell ; then after 

 quite half a minute's interval, and with several seconds between each, four 

 birds fell one after another at my feet. 



I once saw half a dozen feeding on the ground below a Ficus on the berries 

 which the remainder of the flock were dropping from above. 



Car Nicobarese name — " tukkuliv." 



528. Pastor koseus, Linn. Gates, I, p. 518 ; " Str. Feath.," II, 

 p. 252. 



At most only a rare accidental 7isitant to the Andamans, where it has 

 not, apparently been procured, its claim to a place on our list resting only 

 on Colonel Tytlers statement that several arrive in flocks in January 

 Mr. Hume says that Colonel Tytler knew the bird well and was not likely to 

 have been mistaken, 



540. Sturnia andamanensis, Tytler. Gates, I, p. 529 ; " Str. Feath.," 

 II, p. 248. 



This Myna is one of the commonest birds in the Andamans, where it 

 literally swarms when attracted by any extra abundance of food supply. It 

 feeds a great deal on the ground in paddy fields, on open grass-land, &c., and 

 also frequents heavy forest, flocka travelling in ^jearch of fruits and insects in 

 company with Z)2SsewiMro2(?es andamanensis, Graucalusdobsoni, and Pericro- 

 cotus andamanensis. It is particularly partial to a small caterpillar which 

 rolls itself up in the narrow leaves of the bamboo, and flocks may be seen 

 hanging in all sorts of tit-like attitudes diligently opening every rolled up 

 leaf they can detect, with varying results, the little shelter not being always 

 tenanted. 



