Graccula religiosa, LINNÆUS; Mino ou Mainate, BUFFON; Der Mino
oder Plauderer, BECHSTEIN.
This bird is the size of a blackbird, ten inches and a half long, of
which the tail measures three, and the beak one and a half. The feathers
on the side of the head are short, like velvet, but on the top,
descending towards the back of the head, they are the general length; on
both sides of the head there is naked skin, which begins under the eyes,
and extends to the back of the head, but without uniting; its breadth is
uneven, near the eyes it is wide and yellow, but when the bird is
pleased or is angry this colour varies. Black is the predominant colour
of the body, with some tints of purple, violet, or green, according to
the different light it is in; the feathers of the tail have a white
streak.
OBSERVATIONS.--The minor grakle is found in both the Indies, in
Jamaica, as well as in the islands beyond the Ganges, as far as Java.
Their food is vegetable: those which are brought to Europe willingly
eat cherries and raisins; if these be shown them without being given
directly they begin to cry and weep like a child. They become
exceedingly tame and confiding; they whistle exceedingly well, and
chatter better than any parrot. The Chinese ladies are very fond of
them; they are sold very dear in Java. In the inland parts of Germany
nothing is so rare as one of these birds.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: THE MACCAW.]