MINOR GRAKLE. 
Gracula Religiosa. L™' fy st ‘ u P' 164 ‘ 
LeMainate. Bris.Ont.vAu p. 305. 
Le Mainate des Indes Orientales. Bnf. Ois. iii. p. 4 1 6. 
Lesser Minor, or Mino. Edw. i. p. . 
Minor Grakle. Lath, [.part 2 . p. 455. 
This subject is about tbe size of a blackbird, the length ten inches. 
The feathers on each side point into the bill as far as the nostrils; on the 
top of the head they are short, like cut velvet, except just in the middle to 
the hind head, where they resemble other birds. 
On each side of the head is a membrane, in form of a crescent, commen- 
cing beneath each eye, and extending to the hinder part of the neck; this 
membrane is loose at the edge, and irregular in its breadth, of a bright yel- 
low, which suffers a change of colour according to the different seasons, and 
the various passions by which these birds are actuated, either by anger, or 
by pleasure. 
The whole plumage is black, but more shining on the upper part of the 
body; the throat, the wings, and the tail, which are beautifully glossed 
with blue, green, and purple, as exhibited to the view in different lights. 
The legs and feet are strong, inclining to an orange colour, the claws light 
brown. 
1 hey are very social and lively birds, have great talents for whistling, 
singing, and speaking; and excel even the parrot for the distinctness of 
their pronunciation. 
They are found in several parts of the East Indies, in the Isle ofHainan, 
and in almost every island beyond the Ganges. At Java they are com- 
mon, and are sold there to the Chinese at the rate of five shillings each, for 
the puipose of keeping them in cages. 
