112 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



Bill yellow, the lower mandible blackish at the base ; iris 

 brownish-pink, pinkish-gray, or at times whitish mottled with 

 brown ; naked skin round eye yellow ; legs and feet light 

 yellow. 



Dimensions variable : length about 10 ; wing 5 • 6 ; tail 3 ' 3 ; 

 tarsus 1*6 ; bill from gape 1*35. 



Distribution. — The Ceylon form of this bird is now recognized 

 as merely a sub-species of A. tristis, which occurs over practi- 

 cally the whole of the Indian Empire. This Mynah is one of 

 the most familiar birds all over the cultivated portions of the 

 Island, and ascends to a considerable elevation in the hills. 



Habits. — A gregarious species, going about during the day 

 in small troops, which may be seen in gardens, coconut 

 estates, grassy lands, &c., or perhaps most frequently in 

 attendance on groups of grazing cattle, not only securing the 

 insects stirred up in the grass by the animals as they move 

 along, but also perching on the beast's backs to feed on 

 parasites. At night they roost in colonies. The favourite 

 roosting site is often a clump of reeds or low bushes in a marsh 

 or large tank. In such a spot the birds often congregate at 

 night in hundreds. As Mynahs are easily tamed and can be 

 taught to speak and whistle, they are familiar pets. The 

 breeding season extends from about March to August. The 

 bird generally chooses for its nest an old Woodpecker's hole 

 in the stem of a coconut palm, placing a pad of grass," roots, and 

 fibres at the bottom of the cavity. The eggs usually number 

 three, occasionally four, or even five. They are broad ovals 

 of uniform pale bluish-green, slightly pointed at the smaller 

 end, and measure about 1*16 by '84, 



Family Muscicapid^. 

 Flycatchers. 



The Flycatchers are an extensive group of birds, in which, 

 as in the case of the ne;xt family, the Thrushes, the plumage 

 of the nestling is normally mottled. They have, however, 

 well-marked family characteristics. The bill is flat and 

 pointed, in most species viewed from above it has the outline 

 of an almost equilateral triangle, the upper mandible is simply 



