24 



Catalogue of the Birds 



[Jan. 



ov thong (which they crack dexterously, making a loud report), en- 

 deavour to drive the depredators away. The moment the sun appears 

 above the horizon, the Tillyers are on the wing, and at the same instant 

 shouts, cries and the cracking of the long whips, resound from every 

 side. The Tillyers, however, are so active that if they are able 

 to alight on the stalks for an instant, they can pick out several 

 grains. About 9 or 10 o'clock a. m. the exertions of the watchmen 

 cease, and the Tillyers do not renew their plundering till the evening. 

 After sun-set ihey are seen in flocks of many thousands, retir- 

 ing to the trees and jungles for the night. They prefer the half 

 ripe Jowarree, whilst the farinaceous matter is slili soft and milky." 

 Length 9 to 9^ inches ; wing 5^ ; tail 3 ; tarsus nearly 1 ; 

 bill to front ^iths; at gape l^^-gth. Irides deep brown; bill orange 

 yellow at the base, then pinkish, and brown at the point; legs 

 dusky reddish. 



Genus GRACULA, L. — Eulabes, Cuv. 

 168. — G» religiosa, h.—Koknee Myna, H. — Waitled or Juvgle Myna. 



This species is only found in lofty jungle, as well in the east as on 

 the west coast. It is by no means common, and seems very partially 

 distributed, as you may pass through miles of forest without seeing a 

 single specimen. It is generally found in small parties of five or six 

 frequenting the tops of the loftiest trees, and feeding on fruit and 

 berries of various kinds. I never found that insects had formed any 

 portion of its food. The song of this bird is very rich, varied and 

 pleasing, it has, however, several harsher notes frequently heard in the 

 jungles it frequents. The Jungle Myna is now not often seen in cages 

 in the South of India, but it is very highly prized, both for its powers 

 of song and speech, which are said to surpass those of all other birds in 

 distinctness. Irides deep hazel brown; bill and wattles orange yel- 

 low; legs bright yellow. Length 10 inches; wing 5 -yhs ; tail 2 

 ^9_ths ; tarsus lyV^^ 5 bill straight to front 1 ; at gape 1 -^-g-ths. 



It has probably been from erroneous information that this species 

 was named * religiosa' by Linnseus, as I am not aware of its being 

 considered sacred by the Hindoos, whereas the Pastor Tristls, or com- 

 mon Myna is, as I learn from Mr. Elliot's notes, sacred to liam-deo, on 

 whose hand it sits. 



