sturnidj:. 



217 



SUB- FAMILY II. 



Graculin^. 



The Grakles. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less long, broad at the base, much compressed 

 on the sides, -with the culmen rather curved to the tip, which is slightly 

 emarginated ; the nostrils basal, lateral, rounded, exposed, with the frontal 

 plumes advancing to or covering the opening ; the wings long, -with the first 

 quill short, and the third and fourth ^he longest ; the tail short, and even 

 or slightly graduated ; the tarsi short ; the toes long and strongly scutel- 

 lated. 



Fig. 90.— the crowned grakle. 

 {Gracula coronata.) 



The true Grakles inhabit the lofty jungles of 

 India. They are generally seen in pairs, or small 

 parties of five or six individuals, frequenting the 

 tops of the highest trees, seeking fruits, chiefly ber- 

 ries of various kinds. They are sometimes found in 

 newly-made gardens where a few large trees are left 

 standing, flying cheerfully from tree to tree, resting 



