Illuntration of Indian Ornithology . 



3 O. Indicus Jerdon III. Ind. Orn. pi. xv. (0. sinensis on the plate) 0. Indicus Brisson. 



Hab. Continental India, 

 The habits of this Oriole do not I presume differ much from those of its congeners, 

 except that it appears to be more especially a denizen of the depths of the forests. It is 

 certainly a rare bird. Mr Blyth has not I believe obtained it from northern India as yet, and 

 I do not inow how far it may extend out of the peninsula. I need scarcely add anything 

 more descriptive of this bird than what has already been said in comparing it with the 

 allied species. Its biU appears to have been, like the others of its genus, of a lake red 

 colour, and the feet and legs plumbeous. The female appears to differ chiefly in the less 

 vivid tint of the yellow, in the greenish tinge of the back extending further, and in the 

 wings and tail being of a less pure black. The other peninsular species of Oriole are 

 as follows. 



1st 0. Kundoo, Sykes, (the female), and probably O. galbula of the same,0. galbula 

 var. A., Latham, 0. aureus apud Jerdon Cat, No. 97, and of Blyth, probably also O. galbu- 

 /oic*e*, Gould, of a list of Birds from the Punjaub and Cashmere. Comtnon Indian Oriole, 

 Mango bird of Residents in India. 



This oriole is very common, inhabits the open country in groves, gardens, avenues, 

 &c. It has a loud mellow note and lives chiefly on fruit, and also on soft bodied insects. I 

 once found the nest of this species, it consisted of a cup shaped nest slightly made with fine 

 grass and roots, and suspended from a rather high branch by a few long fibres of the same 

 material apparently as the nest itself ; these did not surround the nest but only supported it 

 on two sides. It contained three eggs, white, spotted chiefly at the larger end with large 

 purplish blotches. 



2d 0. Melanocephalus, auct. (0. Maderaspatensis auct., and 0. Mc. Goshii, Tickell 

 are young birds,) Black headed Indian Oriole, chiefly found in Southern India in and about 

 forests, but also occasionally in open country, in avenues, gardens, &c. 



The orioles are called in Hindustani ' Peeluk,' a name merely signifying yellow 

 bird. In Teloogoo they ara called ' Vanga pandoo,' or Brinjalfruit, the black headed species 

 being sometimes distinguished by the epithet " Konda,' or Hill, Latham I see gives this 

 name, somewhat misspelt, as that of his O. Maderaspatensis. The Malyalum name is Magna- 

 kee, which I see Latham calls Magnalki. 



Swainson describes another black headed Oriole from India as 0. Hodsonii, but 

 neither Mr. Blyth nor myself have yet met with it. 



