84 



THE FARMER S FOES 



It is gregarious in habits and a great fruit thief, but feeds 

 largely on caterpillars and insects. It builds in krantzes, 

 laying three to five blue-green eggs marked with a few 



Fig. 46. — Red-wing Starling at nest. 



red-brown blotches. It has a peculiar whistle which is 

 often emitted while the bird is flying. It has invaded the 

 Zoo grounds of recent years, and has bred in the topmost 

 niches of the Marks Fountain. 



WEAVER-BIRDS 



Amongst the Weaver- Birds (Ploceidce) there are several 

 species of gregarious habits, which do a large amount of 

 damage to the ripening grain crops. These are notably 

 Quelea quelea (Pink-billed Weaver), which is easily recognised 

 even in winter by the pink colour of the bill- the Ked 

 Bishop Bird (Pyromelana oryx), and the Long-tailed Widow 

 Bird (Diatropura jirocne). 



