451 



BALD GKAKLE. 



Graeula calva. G. snbcinerea, alis caudaqiie fuscis, capite uirin- 

 que mida rubra. 



Subcinereous Grakle, with dusky wings and tail, and naked red 

 cheeks. 



Gracula calva, G. subcinerea, capife utr'mque nudo» Lin, SpL 

 Nat. 



Le Goulin. Buf. ois. 



Merle chauve des Philippines. P/. EnL 200, 

 Bald Grakle. Lath. syn. 



A REMARKABLE species. Length ten inches : 

 colour on the upper parts bright cinereous; be- 

 neath greyish brown : wing-coverts, quills, and 

 tail deep or blackish brown: bill and legs brown: 

 from the base of the bill to the hindhead a narrow 

 stripe of short brown feathers; the rest of the head 

 naked and of a flesh-colour, which, on any particu- 

 lar irritation, is said to become of a deep red. In 

 its shades of colour the plumage of this bird is 

 sometimes observed to vary; individuals having 

 been seen which were of a deeper colour than 

 usual, and others which were clouded beneath with 

 white. This species is a native of the Philippine 

 isles, where it is said to build in the hollows of 

 trees, and especially of the Cocoa-nut tree. It 

 feeds on fruits, is extremely voracious, and is said 

 to have a loud chattering note. 



