THE GRAKLES. 



THE Orarulinan, or (JraU. - form tin- next group of birds, l-'oimerly :i MTV larire number 

 f species were ranked among the member* of this group, hut tin- naturalists ..f the | 

 day have rest i i. t.l the apjiellatiori to comparatively few birds. In all tin- s|>ecies tin- hill is 

 broad at the base, with tin- ridire of the upjier mandible slL-litly curved, and there is ;i little 

 notch near tin- extremity. 



THE MINO BIKI- ..nun. .11 in many pnrts of India and the Indian Islands, where it 



is frequently captured and domes! jrat>-d. 



It is a bright and lively little bird, wonderfully intelligent, and e\.-n conceiving no great 

 an affection for its master, that it is jiermitted to fly about at will. Many amusing tricks are 

 often taught to the Min< Mini, and it pomesMS a talent for talking equal to that enjuyed by 

 the magpie, the niven. the starling, or the parrot. 80 admirable a < onv.-rsationnliM is the 

 Miriii Mini that some writers who have had |>ersonal exjterience of its capabilities, think that 

 it surpasses even the gray parrot in its ] .\\.-rs nf imitating the human \\<->-. It will repeat 

 many words with extraordinary accuracy, and some sjM-cimens have learned phrases and sen- 

 tences of considerable length. 



The color of the Mino Bird is a deep velvet-like black, with the exception of a white mark 

 on the base of the quill-feathers of the \\ imr. Around the base of the beak and the forehead 

 the feathers are extremely short and have a velvety sensation to the touch. The bill and the 

 feet are yellow, and on the back of the head are two wattles of a bright yellow color. The 

 food of this bird consists chietly of l>erries. fruits. a rtd insects, and in dimensions it is about 

 equal to a common thrush. By the Javanese it is known by the titles of Beo and Mendio. ami 

 the Surnatrans call it Teeong. 



THE CROWDED GBAKLE is one of the handsomest of the genns to which it belongs, and on 

 account of the peculiar coloring from which it derives its name is a very conspicuous bin!. 



It inhabits the parts of the jungle when- the vegetation is thickest, and interspersed with 

 tall trees, on whose topmost branches the Crowned (irakle loves to settle while engaged in it.s 

 search after berries, fruits, and the various substances on which it feeds. It is not a \>-ry 

 timid bird, and will frequently haunt human habitations, entering the gardens wherever tall 

 trees have l*--n left standing, and whistling cheerily as it lli.-s from one tree or bough to 

 another. When frightened, it signifies its alarm by a harsh, rough screech, but its ordinary 

 notes are full and melodious. 



The top of the head and part of the nape, together with the chin and a mark on the <-.-ntre 

 of several of the primary feathers of the wings, are bright "king's" yellow. Round the eye 



Vot IV. or Mt. ttmam. (17 



