206 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(51) THE BLACK-NECKED MYNA. 

 (GKACULIPICA NIGEICOLLIS-CPa^.) ) 



Description. — The head white, encircled by a broad black collar ; 

 below the collar on the back is a band of black feathers margined 

 with white ; upper plumage dark brown ; lower plumage white ; tail dark 

 brown tipped with white; the naked skin around the eye yellow or 

 greenish-yellow ; bill black. 



Rob. — Upper Burmah ; Tenasserim, Cochin-China, Siam and 

 Southern China. 



Length of life in captivity. 



A few specimens have been living in the garden since the latter 

 end of 1886. 



Teeatment in health. 



Housing. — They seem to thrive very well in an aviary ; as they are 

 extremely sociable birds, they may also do well in small cages, although 

 this mode of keeping them has never been tried in this garden. 



Food.- — In captivity it thrives well on satoo, fruits, maggots and 

 occasionally minced meat ; in fact it is very accommodating in its taste 

 and appetite. 



Observations on the habits of the Black-necked Myna. 



Black-necked myna is of a sociable disposition, and evidently 

 takes much delight in the presence and company of men; in whichever 

 part of the large aviary it may be, it is sure to fly to the side of the cage 

 on the approach of a visitor, even following the person from one side to 

 another ; it has some idea of fun also, and often amuses itself at the 

 expense' of other, and even larger, birds; it is, however, not quarrel- 

 some ; on the contrary, it may often be observed attending the toilet of 

 other 'species ; it whistles beautifully, and has a sweet melodious song ; it 

 sings and whistles with much assiduity and force, ruffling its feathers, 

 and raising and throwing back its head at each exertion. 



(52) THE COMMON MYNA. 



(ACKIDOTHERES TEISTIS-(Zi/m.) ) 



Hindi— Myna, Deal myna (i.e., country myna). Bengali— Salik. 



This extremely common bird is found all over India, ascending the 

 Himalayas up to about 8,000 feet ; not found in the northern parts of 

 Kashmir, or in Tenasserim south of Mergui. 



Length of life in captivity. 



No record has been kept, but they are very hardy and bear 

 confinement well. 



