1841.] Birds in the Museum of the Asiatic Society. 641 



" In a state of nature the song of this bird is rather contemptible, 

 but when reclaimed and placed near to better songsters, it greatly im- 

 proves. This species is very common, and there are several varieties, 

 one of which has a small patch of scarlet on the lesser coverts. It is, 

 however, the Cashmere Bulbul, which is so highly prized, and is gene- 

 rally esteemed the most melodious songster in India." — C. W. Smith's 

 MS. Notes. 



49. Ixos . 



Chinese collection. 



50. Genus Oriolus. 

 Sp. Oriolus Chinensis.- — Chinese Oriole. 



Chinese collection. 



Oriolus Chinensis, Lin. Syst. Nat. I. 160. Gmelin I. 383. 

 Cochin China Oriole, Lath. Gen Hist. III. 139. 

 Chinese Oriole. Shaw. Gen. Zool. VII. 412. 

 Oriolus Sinensis, Synop. Griffith's Cuv. VI. 397. 

 51. Oriolus Melanocephalus. — Black-headed Oriole. 

 Shot by the Curator, and mounted in the Museum. 

 Oriolus Melanocephalus. Lin. Syst. Nat. I. 160. Gmelin I. 383. 

 Black-headed Oriole, Lath. Gen. Hist. III. 140. Shaw's Gen. Zool. 

 VIL 411. 



" This bird is dispersed throughout India, it frequents groves, and 

 is constantly flying from tree to tree. In the spring its plaintive 

 note resembles one lengthened full toned note on the flute ; ushers in 

 the dawn ; and resounds from every side. It feeds upon the berries of 

 the Bhur and Pepul trees and on insects." — C. W. Smithes MS, 

 Notes. 



The black-headed Oriole is a very common bird in all parts of 

 Bengal, and Mr. Smith mentions it above as dispersed throughout 

 India ; but Col. Sykes saw it only in the neighbourhood of the Ghauts 

 in the Deccan, where its place seems to be filled by the Oriolus 

 Galbulus, the golden Oriole of Latham, which is said to be very abun- 

 dant there. Its monotonous, low-toned, constantly repeated note is a 

 positive pest, excelled only by that of the Koel, ( Eudynamys Orien- 

 talise) or Indian Cuckow. 



