The MUSICAL GRAKLE (_Gracula musica_, or _Gracula religiosa_) is about
ten inches long and eighteen and a half inches in breadth; the tail
measures nearly three inches, and the wing five inches and three-fifths.
The plumage of this species is of a uniform rich, deep, purplish black,
shaded with green upon the lower part of the back and upper wing-covers;
upon the under surface of the body this beautiful green shimmer is less
distinctly visible; the wings and tail are jet black, the former edged
with a white band, formed by a series of patches, with which the first
seven primary quills are marked; the strange fleshy flaps to which we
have alluded are of a bright yellow colour, and are appended behind the
eyes, passing over the ears, at which part they become considerably
dilated. A naked space under the eyes is also of a brilliant yellow. The
beak is orange, the feet yellow, and the eyes dark brown.
Jerdon tells us that these birds principally inhabit the woods of Eastern
India, and that they are found in considerable numbers in the Rhat
Mountains and other elevated regions, living at an altitude of 3,000
feet above the level of the sea, and only making their appearance in
large flocks during the winter; at other seasons of the year they are
usually met with in parties of six or seven. These assemblages pass the
night together, generally in beds of reeds or bamboo thickets upon the
banks of the mountain streamlets. Their food consists of various kinds
of fruit and berries, and their visits are therefore greatly dreaded by
the proprietors of fields and gardens. The Grakle is lively and active,
much resembling the Common Starling in disposition: its song is cheerful
and varied, but contains many unpleasing notes; its powers of imitation
are so highly developed as to render it a most interesting companion
when tamed; indeed, some of the admirers of this gifted bird declare it
to be superior to the Parrot in the art of mimicry, and at the same time
entirely without the disagreeable noisy habits that often render the
latter intolerable. When caged, the Grakle not only becomes much attached
to those who feed it, but soon familiarises itself with all the dogs and
cats of the establishment, and will even fly fearlessly about the house
in search of food. Our own experience does not allow us to speak in quite
such unqualified terms of praise as the writer from whom we quote: we
have seen an instance in which one of these birds was so voracious as
scarcely to allow itself time to utter a sound, and so pugnacious and
quarrelsome as to be an object of dread to all its feathered companions,
who suffered severely from its beak and claws. This species breeds in
holes of trees, but its eggs have not as yet been identified.
* * * * *
The OX-BITERS (_Buphagæ_) are very remarkable birds, differing from other
Starlings in the construction of their beak and feet, but resembling them
in their mode of life and general habits. Their bodies are slender and
their wings long; the tail, which is composed of twelve feathers, is of
moderate size; the feet are provided with short toes, armed with strong
hooked claws; the very peculiar beak is round at its base, and towards
its tip compressed at the sides; the upper mandible is vaulted, and the
lower portion bent forward at an obtuse angle; the plumage is lax, and
of a brownish-grey colour. We are only acquainted with two species: they
inhabit Central and Southern Africa, and bear a strong family likeness to
each other both in their appearance and demeanour.