GRACULA, the grakle, in natural tory, a genus of birds of the order Pica:. Generic character: the bill convex, thick, sharp-edged, somewhat naked at the base ; nostrils small, near the base of the bill ; tongue entire, rather sharp at the end ; claws hooked and sharp. No spe cies of this bird is found in Europe. There are thirteen species, of which we shall notice the following : G. kelegiosa, or the minor grakle, is of the size of a blackbird, is found in various districts of the East Indies, and almost in every island beyond the Ganges. It is render ed familiar with the greatest ease, and taught to speak with greater facility than even the parrot, and also enounces its words with more distinctness. It feeds on berries and fruits, and is particularly partial to cherries. When refused its wishes, it is stated to express sounds of disappointment and vexation extremely like the crying of a child.
The paradiscea tristis is rather larger than the former, and inhabits the Philip pine Islands. It is exceedingly voraci ous, and has been known to swallow a young rat nearly two inches long, after beating, it against the wires of its cage to soften it. It alights on the backs of oxen in its unconfined state, and devours the vermin which annoy them. These birds are particularly fond of grasshoppers, and are stated to have been imported in to the Isle of Bourbon purposely to ex tirpate those consuming insects, which they have effectually accomplished. Be
ing as they are, however, highly prolific birds, devouring every species of fruits and grain, and occasionally entering pi geon-houses and destroying the young, the inhabitants of the island have often found their depredations greater than those of the enemy which they were called in to extirpate.
G. quiscula, or the purple grakle, in habits North America, and also the Island of Jamaica. It is a very considerable nuisance to the farmers of those coun tries, by scratching up the maize seed almost as soon as it is put into the ground. When the leaf appears, these purple Jaws, as they are called, will of ten tear up the plant by the roots ; and when the maize is ripe they commit their depredations upon it in immense flocks, insomuch that premiums have been oc casionally given for the destruction of them. They are, however, extremely serviceable by devouring insects. They pass the greatest part of the winter in swamps, overhung with woods ; from which, on days of fine weather, they make their appearance abroad. Their flesh is far from being excellent, but their notes are melodious.