THE CROWNED GRAKLE. 
317 
It is a bright and lively little bird, wonderfully intelligent, and even conceiving so great 
an affection for its master, that it is permitted to fly about at will. Many amusing tricks are 
often taught to the Mino Bird, and it possesses a talent for talking equal to that enjoyed by 
the magpie, the raven, the starling, or the parrot. So admirable a conversationalist is the 
Mino Bird that some writers who have had personal experience of its capabilities, think that 
it surpasses even the gray parrot in its powers of imitating the human voice. It will repeat 
many words with extraordinary accuracy, and some specimens have learned phrases and sen- 
tences of considerable length. 
The color of the Mino Bird is a deep velvet-like black, with the exception of a white mark 
on the base of the quill-feathers of the wing. Around the base of the beak and the forehead 
MINO BTRD.—Hulabes religiosa. 
the feathers are extremely short and have a velvety sensation to the touch. The bill and the 
feet are yellow, and on the back of the head are two wattles of a bright yellow color. The 
food of this bird consists chiefly of berries, fruits, and insects, and in dimensions it is about 
equal to a common thrush. By the Javanese it is known by the titles of Bed and Mencho, 
and the Sumatrans call it Teeong. 
The Ceowtsted Geakle is one of the handsomest of the genus to which it belongs, and 
on account of the peculiar coloring from which it derives its name is a very conspicuous bird. 
It inhabits the parts of the jungle where the vegetation is thickest, and interspersed with 
tall trees, on whose topmost branches the Crowned Grakle loves to settle while engaged in its 
search after berries, fruits, and the various substances on which it feeds. It is not a very 
timid bird, and will frequently haunt human habitations, entering the gardens wherever tall 
trees have been left standing, and whistling cheerily as it flies from one tree or bough to 
another. When frightened, it signifies its alarm by a harsh, rough screech, but its ordinary 
notes are full and melodious. 
The top of the head and part of the nape, together with the chin and a mark on the centre 
of several of the primary feathers of the wings, are bright “king’s” yellow. Round the eye 
