4 j$ G- R A K L E. 



tip yellow : the noftrils oblong, and placed in the middle of the 

 bill : the irides are hazel: the feathers on the top of the head are 

 fhort, like cut velvet, except juft in the middle, to the hind head, 

 where they are like thofe of other birds : on each fide of the head 

 is a naked membrane, beginning beneath each eye, and ftretching 

 to the hind head, but not uniting at that part; this is irregular in 

 breadth, loofe on the edges, and is of a yellowifh colour, fubject 

 however to differ in colour at certain feafons of the year, or when 

 the bird is angry or pleafed, &c. : the general colour of the 

 plumage is black, gloffed with violet, purple, and green, in diffe- 

 rent reflections of light : on the quills is a bar of white * : the 

 tail is compofed of twelve feathers, is three inches in length, and 

 even at the end : the legs are orange yellow : and the claws of a 

 pale brown. 

 Place and This fpecies is found in feveral parts of the Eaft Indies, in the 



IJle of Hainan, and almofl every ijle beyond the Ganges; and is re- 

 markable for whiftling, finging, and talking well ; much more fo 

 than any of the Parrot kind, and in particular very diftincl. Its 

 food is of the vegetable kind. Thofe kept in this climate are 

 obferved to be very fond of cherries and grapes : if cherries are of- 

 fered to it, and it does not immediately get them, it cries and 

 whines like a young child, till it has obtained its defires f. It is 

 a very tame and familiar bird. 



It is met with alfo in Java, where it is called Maynoa, and may 

 be compared with the Lef-koa of the Chinefe %. 



* This is not fo in the Planches enluminus ; but Baffin is not fure that it was 

 not omitted by accident, 

 f Salerne orn. p. i 8 1 . 

 X OJb, Foy.i. p. 157, 



Manners. 



