STA RUNGS. 55 



ling-like Mynalis {Poliopsar, Shirnopastor, Dihphus, Temejiuchus, 

 Graculipica, Acridotheres and Sarcops) can be fed in the same 

 manner vvitli the addition of earthworms; the species of x4crido- 

 Iheies 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 My nahs or Crackles (£7^/«;(^^//a'^) 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 Bovverbirds 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 Myiiah was very fond of young mice taken from nests which we discovered 



on various occasions. 



