Descriptive List of the Common Birds 



in huge flocks in April and May. These flocks 

 do much damage to the grain, and hence are 

 known as Jowaree and Cholum birds. They are 

 also very partial to mulberries, and are there- 

 fore sometimes known as Mulberry birds. (B. 

 D., p. 86.) 



49. Sturnus menzbieri : The Common Indian 

 Starling. (F. 532), (J. 681), (+11.) 



Very like the common English starling in 

 appearance. Glossy black with numbers of 

 small yellow or buff spots ; in certain lights it 

 shows a green or bronze sheen. 



A winter visitor to Northern India. Abun- 

 dant in the Punjab during the cold weather, 

 where it is usually seen in flocks. 



50. Sturnia malabarica : The Grey-headed 

 Myna. (F. 538), (J. 688), (II.) 



Head pale grey, chin almost white, rest of 

 upper plumage dark grey with a reddish tinge, 

 throat and breast reddish grey with a white 

 shaft to each feather ; remainder of lower 

 plumage rusty red. Beak greenish blue with 

 yellow tip. 



Not found in Sind, N.W. F. P., or the 

 Punjab. In the other parts of India it under- 

 goes local migration. I have seen it in Madras 

 only in the cold weather. 

 119 



