468 SOME OF THE FAMILIAR BIRDS OF INDIA. 
putting on my hat, I seized a stick and ran out in the hot mid-day 
sun to the assistance of ‘the brave birds. After a short conflict 
the reptile was safely housed in a bottle of alcohol. 
The common myna has been successfully introduced into the 
Mauritius and Andaman Islands. Dr. Carpenter says of this bird, 
“In the Mauritius, the increase of locusts, which had been acci- 
dentally introduced there, and which were becoming quite a pest, 
was checked by the introduction from India of a species of bird, 
the grackle, which feeds upon them.” (Animal Physiology, Para- 
graph 149.) Why might it not be introduced into the Southern 
States of America? It thrives in Northern India in latitude equal 
to that of the Gulf States, and at an elevation of five thousand 
feet. 
Temenuchus pagodarum. The black-headed'myna. This species 
is more seasonal in its appearance, and is far more quiet and retir- 
ing in its habits than the common myna. It is a beautiful little 
bird, and, as Mr. Hume says, “there is something essentially gentle- 
manly in his look; he is always so exquisitely glossy, neat and 
clean, and he always looks so perfectly independent and so thor- 
oughly good humored.” j 
Pastor roseus. The rose-colored starling. The rose-colored 
starlings are said to breed in Western Asia and in Southern Europ®. 
They make their appearance here during the cold season in time of 
harvest, and make great devastation in the fields of grain. In the 
evening they assemble in countless numbers at their chosen roost- 
ing places, either in trees, or in a thick growth of prickly-pear. 
I have seen them in vast cloud-like flocks flying back and forth 
over their roosting place for several minutes, and then they would 
suddenly dart, like an arrow, into the prickly pear and settle them- 
selves for the night. On one occasion one of these flocks T ce 
fired into on two nights in succession, and on the third night, 2° 
a starling was to be seen at that place. 
Munia Malabarica. The plain brown munia. 
Passer Indicus. The Indian house sparrow. One o 
always have to look out of the window to get a glimpse” the 
here, 2 ©". 
Indian house sparrow. They are abundant everyW’ 
- house and out of it, and they are as mischievous and 1m p 
they are common. They are exceedingly industrious = AE L 
vering in their mischief, working away for days and s they have 
little hole they may find in the walls and ceiling un 
