ROSE-COLOURED COW-BIRD. 615 



having the rose-colour obscured by brown ; that on the breast 

 less pure ; the occipital crest scarcely apparent. 



Length to end of tail about 9 inches ; wing from flexure 5/^ ; 

 tail 2f ; bill along the ridge ^§; al(ing the edge of lower 

 mandible lj\. 



Remarks. — This very beautiful bird, of which stragglers 

 have been seen at various times in many parts of England, is 

 said by authors to inhabit Africa and the warmer regions of 

 Asia, and to migrate irregularly into the south of Europe. 

 According to Wagler, " it lives on insects, especially locusts 

 and grasshoppers, as well as on seeds of various kinds ; often 

 mingles with flocks of Starlings, and perching on the backs of 

 cattle, extracts the larvae of oestri ; nestles in holes of trees and 

 of old buildings, laying six eggs." 



