MASON AND LEFBOY. 95 



phus and Aoridotkeres destroy locusts ; Eulabes and its allies prefer 

 vegetable food. E. B. C. N. H., 561. The starlings are gregarious, 

 feeding alike on grain, fruit and insects. Jerd. B. I., II, 320. They 

 frequent trees, but the major portion of their food is obtained on 

 the ground. F. I., 1, 517. 



528. Pastor roseus. Kosy Pastor. 



The following account is taken from Indian Museum Notes : 

 "In view of the great effect which the bird undoubtedly has 

 in keeping the locusts in check it has been suggested in several 

 quarters that it might be a good thing to take measures to have it 

 protected by legislation. It seems very doubtful, however, to what 

 extent any such measure would be useful in the end, in view of the 

 great injury the bird is said to do to grain crops in India. Jerdon 

 (B I., Vol. II, p. 333) says " It usually makes its appearance in the 

 Deccan and Carnatic about November, associating in vast flocks, 

 and committing great devastations on the grain fields more 

 especially on those of the cholumor jowaree (Andropogon sorghum) 

 whence its familiar name in the south. Mr. Elliott says "Is very 

 voracious and injurious to the crops of white jowaree." He also 

 describes how the coolies are stationed in the fields with the slings, 

 &c., to scare the birds whose depredations are committed in the 

 mornings and evenings, and adds. "The Tilliars are so active that 

 if they be able to alight on the stalks for an instant, they can 

 pick out several grains. They prefer the half ripe Jowaree, whilst 

 the farinaceous matter is still soft and milky. When they can no 

 longer get grain, they feed on various grass and other seeds, flower 

 buds, fruit, and also on insects, seeking them on the ground, but 

 they are rarely seen with cattle in India. The Telugu name is de- 

 rived from the name of a plant whose fruit they are particularly fond 

 of. Mr. Blythe remarks that 'They visit the neighbourhood of 

 Calcutta only at the end of the cool season, when flocks of them are 

 not unfrequently observed upon the arboreal cotton tree then in 

 bloom/ Burgess state? that he has seen them busily feeding on the 

 flowers of the leafless caper, a shrub very common in the Deccan 

 on the banks of the large rivers. Dr. Adams says that 'it is very 



