BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



In Algeria, according to Loche, the species occurs accidentally, and 

 very irregularly. From Marocco there seems to be no note of its 

 occurrence, but it has been met with occasionally in Spain, even as far 

 west as Seville. In Italy, though of distinctly irregular appearance, 

 the species has been met with more often, and has been known to 

 breed in the country, a large colony of these birds having established 

 itself at Villafranca in the Province of Verona, in June, 1875, and 

 nested there between the 5th of that month and the 10th of July, 

 taking its departure shortly afterwards. 



In its habits the Rose-coloured Pastor greatly resembles the 

 common Starling, being, like that bird, eminently gregarious and con- 

 sorting together in large flocks. In some countries these assemblages 

 are so vast that they cause considerable damage to the crops, but 

 they are also of great service in ridding the country of locusts and 

 other insect pests, and being most welcome on that account, are 

 actually protected by the farmers. Besides feeding largely on insects 

 and grain, the species is fond of fruit, and particularly of the mul- 

 berry. So fond, indeed, is it of this fruit, that in some countries it 

 goes by the name of the " Mulberry-bird," while in others, from its 

 partiality for locusts, it is called the " Locust-bird." 



In its flight the Rose-coloured Pastor resembles the Starling, and 

 when in large flocks, densely packed together, the aerial evolutions 

 of the birds, and the effect produced thereby, are said to be most 

 striking. Canon Tristram (Ibis, 1882, pp. 410-414), gives a most 

 graphic and interesting account of the migration of the species, as 

 observed by him in Syria on the occasion of his visit to that country 

 in 1881. The passage of the countless myriads of these birds in 

 thousands upon thousands, as witnessed by him, must indeed have 

 been an "interesting ornithological sight," and one never to be 

 forgotten by an ardent lover of Nature. 



The notes of the Rose-coloured Pastor resemble those of the 

 Starling, and the species is said to be equally loquacious and noisy 

 at times. It nests in colonies among rocks and in buildings, usually 

 making use of a hole for the purpose, but often placing its nest on the 

 bare ground. Its eggs, five to seven in number, are white, or very 

 pale bluish-white, smooth and glossy, and about the size of the 

 common Starling's eggs. 



