Ornithology of Cyprus. 17 



numbers until November, when they are frequently observed 

 feeding along with the Rooks and Jackdaws close to the towns. 

 They leave again for the north not later than the end of 

 March. No doubt the composition of these flocks is mixed, 

 and comprises examples of at any rate the succeeding three 

 forms dealt with, but until a larger series than I have as yet 

 been able to handle has been examined, I am only capable 

 of giving the results of what, so far as I know, has been 

 already ascertained. With regard to Sturnus vulgaris, it is 

 not very clear whether any of the Starlings actually obtained 

 by Pearse and Guillemard belonged to this species, but the 

 latter writes that he shot one near Salamis, presumably in 

 early March of 1888, although he seems to have met with 

 flocks of Starlings, some of which turned out to belong to 

 the next species, in several different localities. None of the 

 Starlings sent by Glaszner to Madarasz were referable to 

 S. vulgaris, and the few which I have had in the flesh were, 

 so far as I could judge, obviously either S". purpurascens or 

 S.poltaratzskyi. Lord Lilford, however, states, from Pearse's 

 and Guillemard's specimens, that the Common Starling is a 

 winter visitor, and I have little doubt that he is correct. 



The Starlings are eagerly pursued by the local gunners, 

 and are considered excellent for the table. 



568. Sturnus purpurasokns Gould. 



The Purple-winged Starling composes at any rate part of 

 the winter flights of Starlings which visit the island. 

 Guillemard obtained a number of examples at the end of 

 February at Kouklia Marsh which he regarded as belonging 

 to this form, and one of which at any rate was subsequently 

 identified by Sharpe. Glaszner sent three specimens to 

 Madarasz which had been taken near Larnaca, and I 

 received in November 1908 four examples from the neigh- 

 bourhood of Nicosia. 



Sturnus porphyronotus Sharpe. 



Madarasz, who recognises this form as distinct, received 

 four specimens from Glaszner, taken near Larnaca in January. 

 February, and March. I am not at all sure that I should be 

 able to distinguish it from S. purpurascens. 



ser. ix. — vol. iv. e 



