( 6 ) 



snakes and lizards, and not from above, Its egg are of the regular 

 family type. 



Burmese na.me— Na-pha-ju. 



(No. 22. C. cucullata.) 



THE BURMESE JAY. 



The Jays are rather rare birds in Burma. There is no mistaking a 

 Jay as it always has a bright patch of blue and black checked feathers 

 in its wings, 



The only place I have seen them at all plentiful is at Maymyo, 

 where their harsh grating calls may often be heard round the Golf 

 course, they also may be seen along the numerous " rides," going 

 about in parties consisting of Red-billed Magpies, Tree-pies and 

 Laughing Thrushes, systematically hunting the jungle for what they 

 may devour. 



I may mention that the so-called Blue Jay is not a Jay at all, or in 

 any way connected with the crow-tribe; but is a Roller, so-called from 

 h's rolling flight, and will be described in his proper place. There 

 should be no difficulty in distinguishing between a Jay and a Roller, 

 the former being a brownish coloured bird with a white patch in the 

 small of its back, and its whitish forehead streaked with dark brown, 

 throat white and cheeks black. The latter on the other hand has 

 conspicuous blue wings and tail. 



With the exception of the Irue crows, all the members of this 

 family are great mimics. They may often be heard, when the jungles 

 are quiet and undisturbed, or when they are particularly happy, 

 calling and imitating the various noises and cries they may be 

 familiar with. Many of them are also very sociable, going about in 

 large mixed parties of other birds, for the purpose doubtless of 

 thoroughly hunting the country for their prey — grasshoppers, bugs, 

 etc. The Burmese Jay is found in dry and oak forests along the 

 eastern hills of Burma from Bhamo to Tenasserim. 



(No. 25. G. leucotis.) 



II 

 THE MYNAS. 



The Sturnidae are a well marked group of birds and include the 

 starlings and mynas. None of the former are found in Burma except 

 as stray visitors. The latter are, however, very well represented. 



Mynas are gregarious and, at certain periods of the year, going in 

 large flocks. The majority nest in holes of trees, or in houses and 

 along river banks. Two of the family make large untidy nests in 

 trees. They all lay spotless blue eggs. 



