Capt. Beavan on various Indian Birds. 171 



Bancoorah, April 22, 1865. I noticed a pair beginning to 

 build in a teak tree, in an upper fork of which was a kite's nest 

 with a young one in it. The Starlings have chosen a low 

 bough, and do not appear to care for the kites. The tree is, 

 moreover, totally devoid of leaves. 



685. AcRiDOTHERES GiNGiNiANUs. Bauk-Myua. 

 Abundant at Umballah in November 1866. 



686. AcRiDOTHEREs Fuscus. Dark Myna. 



Moulmein, Aug. 26, 1865. Length 9-25; wing 4-75; tail 

 2*875; bill from front '875; tarsus 1*5 ; irides yellow. As is 

 the case with this, all the Burmese representatives of Indian 

 birds appeared smaller {cf. P. Z. S. 1866, p. 552). 



687. Temenuchus pagodarum. Black-headed Myna. 



Dr. Jerdon's description of this well-known and common 

 bird is somewhat brief. The '^white edge near the shoulder " 

 of which he speaks is caused by the under wing-coverts, which 

 are white, and the quills are greyish. The belly, under tail- 

 coverts, and thigh-coverts are greyish-white. The irides are 

 white ; and there is a triangular patch of bare white skin behind 

 the eye, between the ear-coverts (the feathers of which are lan- 

 ceolate) and crest. The tarsus and feet bright yellow. 



A male bird of this species in confinement, when excited or 

 pleased, was fond of erecting its crest and puffing out all its 

 breast-feathers, spreading its tail, and uttering a few pleasing 

 notes. It was exceedingly tame, and allowed to roam about. 

 It would fly to me when called, and perch on my linger. It 

 ate anything soft : rice soaked in milk was its usual food ; but it 

 also devours with avidity grasshoppers, moths, ants occasionally, 

 small insects, and soft fruit. The species is rare in Maun- 

 bhoom and at Umballah. 



688. Temenuchus malabaricus. Grey-headed Myna. 

 Common about Barrackpore in small parties, rarer in Maun- 



bhoom. 



690. Pastor roseus. The Rose-coloured Starling. 



At Barrackpore, in February 1864, this species occurred feed- 



