JJllilJti UF BANGKOK. 205 



Tlie noise the birds then make, for half an hour or so before dark, is 

 ahnost deafening. 



Distrihidioii. Probably to be found over the greater part of the 

 country, as it is also recorded by CTyldenstolpe from Eastern, Northern 

 and Central Siam, atid by Gairdner from the Provinces of Katburi and 

 Petchaburi. I have found it common both at Koh Lak and at various 

 places on the east coast of the Gulf of Siam. 



4^*31 (549). Acridotheres tristis. The Common My na. 

 Siaraese. "un^iSm (Noksalika). 



Description. Length 254 mm. (10 in). Upper portion of head 

 and neck glossy black, succeeded by a band of dull greyish black, 

 fading into the vinous brown of the back and the paler brown of the 

 rump and upper tail-coverts ; primary wing-coverts white ; other wing- 

 coverts and tertiaries vinous brown ; primaries black with white bases ; 

 tail feathers blackish, tipped with white. Lower neck and breast dull 

 black, passing into the vinous brown of the abdomen and flanks ; under 

 tail-coverts white. 



Iris reddish brown. Bill, bare facial skin and legs yellow. 

 Mouth blackish purple. 



Habits, etc. Largely a ground-bird feeding on insects, and 

 of a gregarious and sociable character. 



Distribution. So far as regards Bangkok, this bird appears to 

 be somewhat of a rarity as I have only obtained specimens on three 

 occasions, in February, l^Larch and October. Mr. E. AV. Trotter, 

 however, informs me that he found it common in December at 

 Klong Rangsit (onl}' 12 miles due north of Bangkok) whence he sent 

 me a specimen. Outside Bangkok I have obtained the bird at Koh 

 Lak, and also observed it at Paknampo, while Gairdner records it from 

 the Provinces of Ratburi and Petchaburi, and Barton from Raheng in 

 Northern Siam. 



7- 32 (553). iEthiopsar grandis. The Siamese Myna. 



Siamese, wn lS!i^ m ( Nok iang dam ). 



Description. Length up to 254 mm. ( 10 in ). Body plumage 

 black — the lower parts Avith a brownish tinge and the under tail-coverts 



