154 DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



The Black-bellied (i lossy Starling (/,. melanogaster) is the 

 last representative of the genus we will deal with, and is 

 immediately distinguishable by its dull black belly. 



It ranges from Knysna, through Eastern Cape Province 

 (where it is, however, not common), northwards to British 

 East Africa. In the Albany Division we found them nesting ; 

 the few eggs taken were invariably of a plain pale greenish- 

 blue, whereas Dr. Stark describes them as being spotted 

 with reddish-brown. It is, however, possible that they vary 

 occasionally, like those of the ordinary Spreo bicolor. 



A larger, longer-tailed bird than any of the preceding is 

 the Purple Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis australis), which 

 is common in the Transvaal Bushveld. It is known as the 

 groote Blink-spreeuw. and has a black iris. 



A superbly beautiful bird is the Plum-coloured Starling 

 [Ginnyricinclus leucogaster verreauxi), the male of which has 

 t he upper parts, head and upper chest a bright metallic copper 

 colour with purplish and violet reflections, the rest of the under 

 surface being white. The female is totally different, being of 

 a mottled brown. This is also the plumage of the young bird. 



This bird ranges from Natal, the Orange Free State and 

 Damaraland, through Zumland and the Transvaal to the 

 Congo on the West, and Tanganyika on the East. They 

 feed chiefly on berries and insects. In the Pretoria District 

 along the Crocodile Paver, north of the Magaliesberg Range, 

 we found them not uncommon, and also along the Pienaars 

 i;i\ er Valley. 



They nest during December in holes in trees, laying four 

 pale blue eggs spotted with pale brown. 



ORIOLES 



The Family Oriolidce is represented in South Africa by 

 four species, one of which (Oriolus notatus), though coming 

 as far south as the Northern Transvaal, is scarce and little 



