3(il 



Appendix to Mr. Blyth's Report for December Meeting, 1842. 



[Continued from vol. XII, p. 1011.] 



Mynahs. — In Vol. XI, p. 178 (bis), I thought it necessary to describe 

 the two Hill Mynahs of India (genus Gracula, v. Eulabes, Cuv.), and 

 I have now approximated to these my Ampeliceps coronalus (vide XI, 

 986) : perhaps an enumeration of the other Indian Mynahs will not 

 be unacceptable. These vary considerably in form and habit, and may 

 be resolved into different minor groups. The genus Pastor, Tem- 

 minck, apud G. R. Gray, is typified by P. roseus ; and Acridotheres, 

 Vieillot, by Acr. tristis. I shall begin with the more bulky, heavy- 

 formed species, which seek their food chiefly or wholly on the ground. 

 Of these, the two first are distinguished by having a large naked space 

 under and beyond the eye. 



1. Acr. tristis, (Gm.) Vieillot; Pastor tristoides, Hodgson, men- 

 tioned in J. A. S., V. note to p. 773. (Common Mynah.) Every- 

 where abundant throughout India in the vicinity of human abodes and 

 cultivation, and remarkable for its familiarity. It rarely nidificates 

 except in the cavities of buildings. 



2. Acr. ginginianus ; Turdus ginginianus, Latham ; Gracula grL 

 sea, Daudin ; Cossyphus griseus, Dumeril. (Bank Mynah.) Common 

 in Bengal (though not in the immediate neighbourhood of Calcutta), 

 Nepal, Assam, and in the Tenasserim provinces ; but has never been 

 observed by Mr. Jerdon in the Indian peninsula. It frequents the vici- 

 nity of water, at least during the breeding season, when it builds in 

 holes in river-banks. The frontal feathers are erectile, forming a slight 

 crest less developed than in the two next species, and those on the 

 sides of the head are directed towards the median line. The young 

 are plain greyish-brown, much as in the immature Sturnus vulgaris, 

 but exhibit a whitish wing-spot and tips to the tail-feathers, and the 

 plumage of the sides of the crown is disposed as usual. This species 

 may generally be obtained of the Calcutta dealers. 



The two next retain the bulky form of the preceding, but have no 

 naked space on the face, and the frontal feathers stand up, forming a 

 short and laterally compressed crest. 



