316 Practical Bird-Keeping .— VI. Starlings.


ling-like Mynalis ( Poliopsar , Sturnopastor , Dilophus, Temenuchus,

Graculipica, Acridolheres and Sure ops) can be fed in the same

manner with the addition of earthworms; the species of Acrido-

theres will also eat small mice,* so that it is probable that, in

their wild state, they take toll of some of the smaller reptiles

and batrachians : they are very eager for locusts, grasshoppers,

crickets and cockroaches.


The typical Mynahs or Grackles (Eulabetided) are somewhat

delicate when first imported, or perhaps they are (more often

than not) supplied with too much shredded raw beef for their

good. They feed in their wild state chiefly upon fruits and

berries, though doubtless they also take insect-food, since in

captivity they accept it eageily. The so-called “Hill Mynahs”

should therefore be treated like the species of Icterus, but owing

to their great size and voracious appetites they naturally require

a much more liberal supply both of fruit and soft food.


Apart from the imitative powers of Eulabes I do not

consider them attractive as pets ; they are dull and clumsy in

their movements, dropping from branch to branch with a heavy

hop, even more carefully taken than that of a Satin Bower-bird or

a Crow, to both of which they bear some resemblance in outline.

In my opinion these birds should never be confined in cages ; a

small aviary with the companionship of a few other smaller

birds suits them well. I did not find Eulabes aggressive, it

struck me as too apathetic and lazy to exert itself sufficiently to

be objectionable to other birds, in which respect I should say it

was unlike the Boweibirds and Crows. I do not of course know

what it might do if associated with tiny finches; possibly it

might acquire a taste for feathered food in that case : one cannot

safely prophecy what might or might not happen.


Unless it is intended to breed them, all the smaller Old

World Starlings are better kept in roomy cages, just sufficiently

large to enable them to use their wings and bathe freely.



*My Crested Mynah was very fond of young' mice taken from nests which we discovered


on various occasions.



