Illustration of Indian Ornithology.
3 O. Indicus Jerdon III. Ind. Orn. pi. xv. (O. sinensis on the plate) O. Indicus Brisson.
Hab. Continental India.
The habits of this Oriole do not I presume differ much from those of its congeners, except that it appears to be more especially a denizen of the depths of the forests. It is certainly a rare bird. Mr Blyth has not I believe obtained it from northern India as yet, and I do not know how far it may extend out of the peninsula. I need scarcely add anything more descriptive of this bird than what has already been said in comparing it with the allied species. Its bill appears to have been, like the others of its genus, of a lake red colour, and the feet and legs plumbeous. The female appears to differ chiefly in the less vivid tint of the yellow, in the greenish tinge of the back extending further, and in the wings and tail being of a less pure black. The other peninsular species of Oriole are as follows.
1st O. Kundoo, Sykes, (the female), and probably O. galbula of the same, O. galbula var. A., Latham, O. aureus apud Jerdon Cat, No. 97, and of Blyth, probably also O. galbuloides, Gould, of a list of Birds from the Punjaub and Cashmere. Common Indian Oriole, Mango bird of Residents in India.
This oriole is very common, inhabits the open country in groves, gardens, avenues, &c. It has a loud mellow note and lives chiefly on fruit, and also on soft bodied insects. I once found the nest of this species, it consisted of a cup shaped nest slightly made with fine grass and roots, and suspended from a rather high branch by a few long fibres of the same material apparently as the nest itself; these did not surround the nest but only supported it on two sides. It contained three eggs, white, spotted chiefly at the larger end with large purplish blotches.
2d O. Melanocephalus, auct. (O. Maderaspatensis auct., and O. Mc. Goshii, Tickell are young birds,) Black headed Indian Oriole, chiefly found in Southern India in and about forests, but also occasionally in open country, in avenues, gardens, &c.
The orioles are called in Hindustani 'Peeluk,' a name merely signifying yellow bird. In Teloogoo they are called 'Vanga pandoo,' or Brinjal fruit, the black headed species being sometimes distinguished by the epithet "Konda,' or Hill, Latham I see gives this name, somewhat misspelt, as that of his O. Maderaspatensis. The Malyalum name is Magnakee, which I see Latham calls Magnalki.
Swainson describes another black headed Oriole from India as O. Hodsonii, but neither Mr. Blyth nor myself have yet met with it.
