44* 
ACRIDOTHERES MELANOSTEENUS 
(THE CEYLONESE MYNA) 
ADULT MALE AND FEMALE 
Length 9*2 to 10*75 inches; wing 5.4 to 5.8; tail 3.2 to 3.4; tarsus 1.5 
to 1.7; middle toe and claw 1.45; bill to gape 1.3 to 1.38. 
DISTRIBUTION 
This well known bird is exceedingly abundant in the cultivated portions 
o" Ceylon, frequenting both sides of the island alike, and being as numerous 
in the hot districts of the North as in the more humid region comprised in 
the South-west corner. In districts where large tracts of pasture land or 
of paddy cultivation abound, the Myna shews up in great numbers. Aoout the 
Panadure and Bolgodde lakes, between Matale and Galle, in the Batticaloa 
rice fields, in the green pastures on each side of the Vlrgel, and in the 
open fields of the Jaffna peninsula it is to be seen in hundreds. 
But it is not alone in such places that it throngs, for I found it nume¬ 
rous in the hill begirt land of the Western part of the Pasdun Korale, and 
in similar localities in the Galle district. It ranges Into the Central 
Province to a considerable altitude, reaching its highest limit, I believe, 
in the dry, cool season. Mr Forbes Laurie has seen it In Maturatta at 3500 
feet, and in Kalabokka at 3000 feet, and I have seen it at Uva higher than 
either of these elevations. 
Its near ally in India is a very abundant bird, and is scattered all over 
the low country of the empire, extending into Burn ah and Tenasserim. It ra 
ranges into the mountains to a considerable altitude, breeding at Mussoori, 
and occurring In the Palanls up to 4000 feet. 
It may not be out of place here to mention that it has been'successfully 
acclimatized in Victoria, where it may be seen In Melbourne, frequenting the 
villas In the suburb, and everywhere making itself at home upon the house¬ 
tops. It has also been Introduced, . with the same results, into the Mauri¬ 
tius. 
HABITS 
This Myna takes the place, in Ceylon, of the English Starling. It is ore 
of the most familiar species in the Island, taking up its abode in the na¬ 
tive husbandman-’s paddy field, and assiduously attending on his cattle and 
buffaloes, about which it obtains an abundance of food, in the way of flies 
attracted by the animals, ticks living on them, and other insects to be 
7 , a,: /" ’, 1 ■ j■ ... :s n ng, s- : r> s', ng: 
