STURNIDiE. 169 



land by Messrs. D. Zisch and C. Green. It keeps more to the culti- 

 vated land than do our other crows ; but will not disdain to eat carrion 

 when its natural food (which consists of grubs) is scarce. 



It breeds in trees, making a large nest of sticks, and laying from 

 three to five eggs, of a light pink colour, spotted with dark-brown 

 pink : axis, 2" T' ; diam., X" 2'". 



333. OorVUS MontanUS, Temm. ; Cuv., Vol. 7, p. 

 175 ; Le Grande Corbeau, Le Vail., PI. 51 ; C. Major, 

 Vieil, ; N. Diet. d'Hist. Nat. viii, p. 27. 



All black, without any blue or green reflections, as in the 

 other species. Length, about 2 feet. 



Inhabits, according to Le Vaillant, the mountains near Saldanha 

 Bay, dwelling in small parties, and never assoipiating with the other 

 crows of the country. Lives upon worms, slugs, &c., and at times 

 attacks young antelopes. 



I have never fallen in with any one acquainted with this bird, and 

 all my inquiries have failed to elicit any information concei'ning it. 

 Sundevall says it certainly is a fictitious species, and I incline to agree 

 with him. 



334. OorVUS HottentottUS, Linn. ; Sh., Vol. 7., 

 PI. 1, p. 351. 



** Size of a black-bird ; feathers about the nostrils resembling 

 black velvet ; bill and legs black ; on each side of the bill three 

 very long black hairs ; tail of moderate length, and nearly 

 even at the tip." 



" Inhabits Kaffraria," — Shaw (loc. cit.) ; but is a well-known Indian 

 species of Drongo Shrike (Chihia Sottentotta) / .' ,' 



The Third Family, STURNIDiE, or 

 Starlings, 



have the bill more or less long, with the sides compressed ; the 

 culmen slightly curved, or straight to the tip, which is some- 

 times eraarginated, and the gape often angulated ; the wings 

 long and pointed ; the tail generally long, even, or graduated ; 

 the tarsi more or less long, strong, and covered in front with 

 broad scales; the toes long and strong, the hind toe very 

 long, and robust; the claws long, curved, and acute. 



The Sub-Family, PTILONORHYNCHIN^, or 

 Glossy Starlings, 



have the bill strong, and moderate, with the sides compressed, 

 and the culmen curved to the tip, which is emarginated ; the 

 wings moderate and pointed ; the tail of various lengths, and 

 V 



