50 GARDEN AND AVIARY BIRDS. 



of the mouth orange, while in the old ones this is as black 

 as if they had been drinking ink. 



This is one of our commonest birds, being found over 

 India generally ; in Burma it is replaced by a very 

 closely allied species or variety (Sturnopastor super ci- 

 liaris) differing merely in having . white streaks on the 

 forehead and over the eyes. It is more inclined to go 

 in flocks than the House-Mynah, and does not come 

 into streets and the actual precincts of houses, though 

 a very usual inhabitant of our gardens, where it must be 

 of considerable service as it is usually seen industri- 

 ously hunting the grass. It does not indulge in any set 

 song apparently ; but its voice is very sweet and flute- 

 like, and it appears not to have any unpleasant notes 

 whatever a remarkable peculiarity in any bird, and 

 especially in one of this family. 



The Pied Mynah appears to be the most insectivorous 

 of all our Mynahs ; it is constantly hunting for prey on 

 the ground, though, when the red-flowered cotton-tree is 

 in bloom it joins other birds in drinking nectar from 

 the blossoms. In captivity it needs more animal food 

 than other species. I believe it can, when nest-reared, 

 be taught to whistle, very well which one would expect 

 from the mellowness of its natural notes. 



Unlike other Starlings, it does not build in a hole, but 

 makes a big untidy nest on the bough of a tree, several 

 pairs often building near each other. The birds must 

 possess remarkable courage to be able to aSord to rear 

 their broods in public like this, for the nest is obtrusively 

 obvious to every passer-by. 



