TilE MINOR GRAKLE. 



5:5 



like velvet, but on the top, descending towards tlie back of the 

 head, they are the general length ; on both sides of the head 

 there is naked skin, "which begins under the eyes, and extends 

 to the back of the head, but without uniting ; its breadth is 

 imeven, near the eyes it is wide and yellow, Jjut when the bird 

 is pleased or is angry this colour varies. Black is the pre- 

 dominant colour of the body, with some tints of purple, violet, 

 or green, accorduig to the different light it is in ; the feathers 

 of the tail have a white streak. 



Observations. — The minor grakle is found in both the Indies, in 

 Jamaica, as ■well as in the islands beyond the Ganges, as far as Java. 

 Their food is vegetable : those -which are brought to Europe willingly eat 

 cherries and raisins ; if these be shown them without being given directly 

 they begin to cry and weep like a child. They become exceedingly tame 

 and confiding; they whistle exceedingly well, and chatter better than 

 any parrot. The Chinese ladies are very fond of them ; they are sold 

 very dear in Java. In the inland parts of Germany nothing is so rare as 

 one of these birds. 



