THE GRAKLES. 



The Graculinpe, or Grakles, form the next group of birds. Formerly a very large number 

 of species were ranked among the members of this group, but the naturalists of the present 

 day have restricted the app(^llation to comparatively few birds. In all the species the bill is 

 broad at the base, with the ridge of the ujjper mandible slightly curved, and there is a little 

 notch near the extremity. 



The Mii^o Bird is very common in many parts of India and the Indian Islands, where it 

 is frequently captured and domesticated. 



It is a bright and lively little bird, wonderfully intelligent, and even conceiving so great 

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

 often taught to the Mino Bird, and it jjossesses a talent for talking equal to that enjoyed by 

 tlie magpie, the raven, the starling, or the parrot. So admirable a conversationalist is the 

 Mino Bird that some writers who have had personal ex])erience of its capabilities, think that 

 it surpasses even the gray parrot in its i)owers of imitating the human voice. It will repeat 

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

 tences of consideralile 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 wing. 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 yelloAv color. The 

 food of tiiis bird consists chiefly of berries, fruits, and insects, and in dimensions it is about 

 equal to a common thrush. By the Javanese it is known by the titles of Beci and Mencho, and 

 the Sumatrans call it Teeong. 



*e>' 



The Crowned Geakle is one of the handsomest of the genus to which it belongs, and on 

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



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

 tall trees, on whose topmost branches the Crowned Grakle loves to settle while engaged in its 

 search after berries, fruits, and the various substances on which it feeds. It is not a very 

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

 trees have been left standing, and whistling cheerily as it flies from one tree or bough to 

 another. When frightened, it signities 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 centre 

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



Vol. IV. op 6-vol. Edition. 317 



