338 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



brio'htly glossed ; wings and tiiil coal black without reflections ; a 

 white spot on the first seven primaries, forming a conspicuous 

 wing-spot. 



The wattles on the head commence below each eye, are crossed 

 at the lower posterior angle of the eye by a triangular patch of 

 minute feathers, pass bej'ond the ear, where they form a rather 

 large loose flap, or lappet, and then return in a narrow stripe 

 to the top of the head. There is also a small nude patch below 

 the eye. 



Bill orange ; wattles deep yellow ; irides dark brown ; legs deep 

 yellow. Length 10 inches; extent 18^ ; wing 5j\; tall 2j5y : bill 

 at front 1 ; height f ; tarsus ly-^^. 



The Hill Myna of Southern India is found in the forests of 

 Malabar from Travancore up to North Lat. 16° or 17°, most abundant 

 parhaps on the Ghats, and especially in the Wynaad, Coorg, and 

 other elevated districts, up to 3,000 feet or so. It also occurs in 

 the thick forests of the Northern Circars, as far as Goomsoor, 

 extending west into the wooded portion of the Nagpore territories. 

 It is stated also to be found in Ceylon, where, however, another 

 species occurs. It is somewhat locally distributed, the birds 

 appearing to congregate in certain spots. It is found at times in 

 small parties of five or six or more, sometimes in large flocks; and, 

 during the cold weather, at all events, they appear to roost in 

 company, in great numbers, especially on bamboos along the 

 edges of mountain streams. It appears, as far as I have observed, 

 in a wild state, to feed exclusively on fruit and berries of various 

 kinds. The song of this bird is very rich, varied and pleasing ; 

 but it has some harsh notes also. It breeds in holes of trees, 

 but I never saw the eggs, though I have had the young brought to 

 me in the Wynaad. It is occasionally taken when young and 

 caged, but less frequently than would be the case were it a 

 denizen of Northern India, the birds in confinement being 

 usually those of the next species brought from the North. It was 

 most probably by confounding it with Acridotlieres tristis, that 

 Linnajus was led to call this bird religiosa, for I never heard of its 

 being held at all sacred. 



