THE BIRDS OF INDIA. 



191 



Smaller Hill Mynah— This bird, wliich Jerdon says 

 is not held sacred like his larger relative, of which more 

 anon, is black, with a white bar on the wings, but rich 

 velvety black, with glossy green and purple reflections ; the 

 bill, legs, and feet, orbits, patches on the sides, and collar- 

 like appendages of bare skin, are all bright orange yellow. 



It is met with from Travancore to northern latitude 

 1G° or 17°, breeding in holes of trees or of buildings, and is 

 often caged on account of its imitative powers, wliich, how- 

 ever, are not as great as those of its relative, the 



Larger Hill Myxah, which resembles it exactly in all but 

 size, the latter bird measuring nearly a foot in length, and 

 the former about 10 inches. It inhabits the lower ranges 

 of the Himalayas, and is held in much esteem by the 

 natives, as specially consecrated to some of their divinities. 



THE CROWS. 



These birds are represented in all parts of the world, and 

 form a very distinct group or natural order. They are 

 well represented in India, as the following selection will 

 show : — 



