144 The Rose-Colourru Starling 



In Great Britain the first recorded specimen \vas killed at Norwood, in Surrey, 

 and was described in 1743; since then it lias been met with in almost ever}' 

 count}- ; the latest occurrences being of one observed on an apple-tree at Greatham, 

 near Liss, in Hampshire, on Ma}' 4th, 1896, and secured by its observer (\'ide 

 Zoologist, 1896, p. 382), three in Ireland and one in Scill}- in 1899, one in 

 Kent and another in Yorkshire in 1901, one iu Shetland in 1903, and five 

 or six in 1906. 



The male in breeding-plumage has the head, neck, and breast glossy purplish 

 black ; the wings including the coverts, the tail and coverts of both surfaces glossy 

 greenish-black, and the remainder of both surfaces pale salmon-rose ; the bill is 

 also rose-coloured, but more orange towards the base, which is blackish ; the feet 

 brown ; iris bright brown. The female is altogether duller, and has a somewhat 

 smaller crest. After the autumn moult the black feathers are tipped with greyish- 

 brown, and the rosy feathers with dusky brown, the crest being also undeveloped ; 

 but a gradual change takes place in the spring. The young are very similar to 

 adults in winter plumage, but show no trace of black or rose-colour on the feathers, 

 their wing- and tail-feathers have buff edges ; the bill is browner, and the feet 

 are more flesh-tinted. 



Like the common Starling this bird is eminently gregarious in its habits. 

 Jerdon observes that "it usualh- 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 ( Andropogoii 

 soy ah us y ; he then quotes the following from Mr. Elliot's manuscript notes:— 

 " Is very voracious and injurious to the crops of white Jowaree, in the fields of 

 which the farmer is obliged to station numerous watchers, who, with slings and a 

 long rope or thong, which they crack dexterously, making a loud report, endeavour 

 to drive the depredators away. The moment the sun appears above the horizon 

 they are on the wing, and at the same instant shouts, cries, and the cracking of 

 the long whips, resound from every side. The Tillyers, however, are so active 

 that if they are able to alight on the stalks for an instant, they can pick out 

 several grains. About 9 or 10 o'clock a.m., the exertions of the watchmen cease, 

 and the Tillyers do not renew their plundering till evening. After sunset they 

 are seen in flocks of many thousands retiring to the trees and jungles for the 

 night. They prefer the half ripe Jowaree whilst the farinaceous matter is still 

 soft and milky." 



It must not, however, be supposed that the Rose-coloured Pastor is altogether 

 injurious to agriculture : on the contrary it does good service by its wholesale 

 destruction of locusts and other noxious insects. Seebohm gives the following 



