Thp: RosE-CoLorRKD vStarling 145 



account of it in his History of British Birds : — " In driving across the steppes 

 between the Danube and the Black Sea we now and then came upon small ilocks 

 of these birds. At a distance they are indistinguishable from common Starlings ; 

 tliey run along the ground in the same way, they have the same rapid straight 

 flight, and the same habit of clustering together. On the ground they feed 

 with the same eager anxiety, but frequently perch on the stunted bushes, when 

 their pink colour is very conspicuous. The notes of this bird are almost exactly 

 the same as those of the Starling, they chatter together in the same way, and in 

 confinement the low warble mixed with the chatter is ver}- similar in both species. 

 In most places where this bird breeds it is protected on account of the enormous 

 number of locusts it devours. In autumn it takes its toll on the fruit (mulberries, 

 cherries, etc.) ; but its usefulness in spring is so apparent, that the Greeks and 

 Turks do not begrudge it so small a trifle. In Asia Minor, as in the Dobrudscha, 

 I had the misfortune to arrive the day after the fair. Dr. Kriiper and I were 

 informed by our friend Guido von Gonzenbach that the Rose-coloured Starlings 

 had bred in the previous spring (1871) in enormous numbers in the neighbourhood 

 of Smyrna, and had devoured the grubs and locusts to the admiration of the 

 peasantry." 



The nest of the Rose-coloured Starling is built in holes or crevices in rocks, 

 heaps of stones, earth-cliffs, c^uarries, walls, and old ruins, and is said to be strongly 

 constructed, not unlike that of a Blackbird ; but at times a mere accumulation of 

 sticks, straws, and various dead plants, with a central depression for the eggs 

 lined with plant fibre, leaves, moss, and feathers. The eggs number from five to 

 six, and are glossy white with the faintest bluish tinge. 



This species appears to be single-brooded ; the hen is a close sitter and is fed 

 upon the nest by the male bird, chiefly with locusts. 



It appears to be generally admitted by Ornithologists that the favourite food 

 of the Rose-coloured Starling consists in early summer of locusts, and later of 

 cherries : in confinement it eats cockroaches with avidity : it should certainly 

 never be fed as that unfortunate example was, which many years ago was winged 

 at Chelmondiston, in Suffolk, and is said by Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear to 

 have been kept alive for three months on raw meat. All true Starlings will eat 

 meat, but it is not good for them, though less injurious than in the case of 

 members of the family Turdida. 



Lord lyilford observes that "The Rose-coloured Pastor thrives well in captivity, 

 but the constant chatter of even a single bird is almost overpowering in a room." 

 Doubtless this is the case, but no rank-feeding voracious birds are suitable 

 pets for a dwelling-room, for other reasons : in a bird-room they are more 



Vol.. 11. P2 



