THE MYNAH. 55 



pedestrians in their quiet way. But the Mynah, 

 unlike many ground-birds, is nimble and active in a tree 

 as well ; and his flight, though not remarkably fast, 

 is tolerable enough for ease, and he feels sufBcient 

 confidence in it to occasionally attempt a httle 

 insect-catching on the wing, when his quarry has got 

 away from him on foot. When he flies, he tucks up 

 his long yellow shanks to his breast,^showing 

 conclusively that birds which stow their legs this way 

 when on the wing do so by custom, not for 

 convenience ; for from their size one would_think that 

 he would do better to stow them astern like the 

 paddy-bird and other waders. The Mynah, like most 

 of the birds I have dealt with, goes in for equality 

 between the sexes ia the matter of dress. You 

 can only tell a hen Mynah by her slightly smaller 

 form, and by her exemption from the amorous fits 

 which impel her spouse to now and then puff himself 

 out and bow grotesquely for her edification, mean- 

 while emitting various gurglings, presumably meant 

 to please her ear ; the result being charmingly 

 uncertain, for with Mynahs as with men apparently 



A glance of despair is no guide, 



It may have its ridiculous side, 



It may draw you a tear. 



Or a box on the ear, 



You can never be sure till you've tried. 



