The MINA BIRD (_Acridotheres tristis_) is about ten inches long, three
and a half of which belong to the tail; the wing measures five inches
and a quarter. The feathers upon the head, nape, and breast are of a
brilliant black; the rest of the coat is reddish brown, the wings and
back being of a deeper shade, and the under side lighter than the rest
of the body; the exterior quills are black, but white at the root, thus
giving a somewhat spotted appearance to the wing; the tail is black, and
tipped with patches of white, the latter becoming gradually wider towards
the sides; the belly and lower wing-covers are also white.
[Illustration: THE MUSICAL GRAKLE (_Gracula musica_).]
The Minas are among the commonest birds in India, Assam, and Burmah,
where they frequent the neighbourhood of towns and villages in
preference to more wooded districts. A tree is usually selected as
their sleeping-place, and from this point they fly over the country in
small parties in search of food, stealing occasionally even into the
huts of the natives, in order to obtain cooked rice, of which they are
very fond; some follow the flocks and herds, and seize the grasshoppers
as they rise from the grass when disturbed by the cattle, others seek
subsistence by plundering the gardens and orchards in their vicinity.
When upon the ground the Mina walks with ease, constantly bowing its
head as it goes, and occasionally springing to a considerable distance;
its flight is heavy, direct, and tolerably rapid, and its notes rich and
varied. So little fear is exhibited by these birds that they build almost
exclusively in the vicinity of houses, or even in temporary cages that
are hung out for their accommodation. In Mosuri, where this species is
only a summer visitor, it usually prefers making its nest within a hollow
tree. Like the Starling, it easily acquires the art of speaking, and of
imitating a variety of sounds. The Mina has been dedicated by the Indians
to their god RAM, and is usually represented as perched upon his hand.
Major Norgate has given a full description of this interesting bird, from
which our space will only allow us to extract the following account of
its quarrelsome propensities--regular pitched battles, he tells us, are
of constant occurrence amongst these pugnacious little creatures; the two
combatants, who usually belong to different flocks, coming to the ground,
in order the better to carry on their struggle, which is maintained by
clawing, beating with the wings, and rolling round each other, screaming
loudly as the combat waxes hot; only for a very brief space, however,
is the fight confined to these two champions of the rival parties; one
after another the rest come down and mingle in the fray, which often
rages so fiercely that broken wings or other injuries at last compel the
untiring combatants to cease their strife. The same writer describes the
Mina's manner of singing as being very amusing: it inflates its chest as
though about to make a most tremendous effort, and then gives voice to
such a variety of crowing, grunting, and squeaking sounds as cannot fail
to astonish its hearer. When in flight the notes of these birds are by
no means unpleasing; but if alarmed their cry rises to a loud, hoarse
shriek, the rest of the party usually joining chorus until the uproar
becomes general. The nest is constructed with the utmost carelessness,
and is, in fact, a mere heap of straw, twigs, rags, or even shreds of
paper; but in spite of the discomfort of the home thus provided for the
young, the latter are tended by both parents with great affection.
* * * * *
The GRAKLES (_Graculæ_) constitute a race of Starlings that have always
been regarded with great favour by mankind. These birds are of a moderate
size, with thick bodies, and short wings and tails; the beak, which
equals the head in length, is thick, high, and in its transverse section
of a square form, the upper mandible is rounded and much vaulted at
its roof. The fourth quill of the wings is longer than the rest, and
the tail, which is rounded at its tip, is composed of twelve feathers;
the feet are strong, and the head is furnished on each side with two
moveable appendages resembling flaps of skin (which are usually brightly
coloured) hanging down from behind the eyes. The plumage is soft, and of
a satin-like brilliancy.