20G JOURNAL, lYATUIUL HIST. SOCIETY OF SIAM Vol. I. 



white ; primaries black, with a large white patch near their bases, and 

 all the wing feathers more or less glossed with bronze ; tail black, 

 broadly tipped with white. 



Iris reddish brown. Bill orange j^ellow, paler at tip. Legs pale 

 orange-yellow to dusky yellow. 



Habits, etc. A fairly common resident species, occurring in 

 pairs or small flocks, and easily recognised by its narrow frontal plumes, 

 18 mm. (•75 in.) long, rising from the forehead and curling backwards. 

 It is frequently to be seen perched on the backs of Water Buffaloes, 

 picking off and eating the ticks on those animals. 



JDistrUmtion. Also recorded from Eastern and Northern Siam 

 by Gyldenstolpe who describes it as " very common everywhere in 

 favourable localities." Outside Bangkok I have obtained it at Koh 

 Lak, while Gairdner records it from the Provinces of Ratburi and 

 Petchaburi. 



4 33 (55G). Sturnopastor superciliaris. T lie Burmese Pied 

 M/jna, 



Siamese, wniQU^^lnj^ lofl (Nok iang-khroiig lek).* 



Description. Length, up to 241 mm. (9.5 in). Forehead and 

 crown black, closely streaked with white ; patch behind eye white ; 

 chin, throat, upper breast, neck (all round) and back glossy black ; 

 lower rump white ; edge of wing, lesser wing-coverts and edges of 

 inner median wing-coverts white. Lower plumage from middle breast 

 downwards white, with pale vinaceous tinge ; under wing-coverts white. 



Iris pale yellow to yellowish buff. Bill, basal half deep orange 

 to orange-red, remainder dull white. Mouth black. Orbital skin 

 orange-yellow to orange. Legs, dull whitish to dusky flesh. 



Young birds have the bill and legs more or less dusky brown. 



Ilahits, etc. This is also a common and familiar resident spe- 

 cies. Like other Mjaias it feeds mainly on the ground, on insects, 

 and possesses a variety of loud, vivacious notes. It is generally to be 

 seen in pairs or small flocks, but sometimes large numbers congregate 

 together. 



Distribution. Also recorded from Eastern and Central Siam by 

 Gyldenstolpe under the name of 8. Jloiveri, which appears to be a 



* Colloquially kuown as Nok Jdny-khrong Ick. 



