STURNIN/K. 333 



This genu:>, which is composed of but a single species, witli 

 somewhat the form of Temenuchus, has the gregarious habits of 

 the true Starlincrs and JNIynas, and is more a grain and fruit eater 

 perhaps than others of this family. 



690. Pastor roseus, LiNNiEus. 



Turdus, apud Linn^us — Gould, Birds of Europe, pi. 212 — 

 Sykes, Cat. 115 — Jerdon, Cat. 167 — Blyth, Cat. 593 — Horsf., 

 Cat. 811 — T. suratensis, Gmel. — Golabi maina, H. in the North — 

 Tihjer, H. in the South — Pariki-pitta, Tel., — Palisa, Tel., of some 

 Sura kuravi, Tarn. — f^ya, in Sindh — Cholum bird of Europeans in 

 Madras. 



The Rose-golored Starling. 



Descr.' — Whole head, with crest, neck, and breast, fine glossy 

 black, with purple reflections ; wings and tail black with a green 

 gloss ; rest of the plumage pale salmon or light rose color. 



Young birds have the rose color much dashed with pale brown 

 and fuscous, and the head not so glossy ; and the young of the 

 year are more or less earthy brown, paler beneath, and without a 

 crest. 



Bill orange yellow at the base, then pinkish, and brown at the 

 tip ; irides deep brown ; legs dusky reddish. Length 9^ inches ; 

 wing 5\', tail 3 ; bill at front ^^; tarsus If-^. The tongue is bifid 

 at the end and somewhat fringed. 



The Rose-colored Starling is found throughout the greater part 

 of India, most abundant in the South and South-west, rare towards 

 the North and North-east, and, apparently, not known in Assam 

 and Burmah, unless P. Peguanus, Lesson, be the immature state 

 of this bird. 



It usually makes its appearance in the Deccan and Carnatic 

 about November, associating in vast flocks, and committing great 

 devastations on the grain fields, more especially on those of the 

 Cholum or Jowaree (Andropogon sorc/hus), whence its familiar name 

 in the South. Mr. Elliot, in his MSS. Notes, quoted in my Catalogue, 

 says: "Is very voracious and injurious to the crops of white 

 Jowaree, in the fields of which the farmer is obliged to station 



