110 THE FOOD OP BIRDS IN INDIA. 



only be given when we have a far larger series of stomach records, 

 and also reliable information from field observations from the main 

 localities frequented by these birds. 



With regard to the Rosy Pastor little can be said beyond what 

 has already been noted. It must, however, be borne in mind that 

 as soon as the locusts migrate from the hills for their breeding grounds 

 these birds attack them ; they therefore attack the first swarms and 

 reduce their numbers considerably before egg-laying commences, the 

 good done at that time therefore being of far more value than if the 

 insects were only attacked after egg-laying had commenced or finish- 

 ed. The Rosy Pastor does not breed in India ; if it did so, it would 

 probably have the habits of the Common Mynahs in feeding its young 

 on caterpillars to a great extent and also on other insects, and we 

 could then put it down as beneficial in India generally, in spite of 

 the vast damage done to ripening jowari, &c. As it is, it seems a 

 doubtful question as to whether the harm done outweighs the good. 



Sturnopastor and Acridotheres have already been discussed. 

 They at times appear to do some considerable damage to maize, 

 sorghum and other grains, but they are also very general insect feed- 

 ers, being especially fond of grasshoppers, and it would seem that 

 they are beneficial, and that the custom of putting out boxes for 

 the birds to breed in, as practised in some parts, is to be commended. 

 Even when these birds are found in cereal crops and feeding on the 

 grain, a fair proportion of this grain is picked up off the ground and 

 the stomachs of birds obtained under such conditions nearly always 

 contain a number of insects. The food of the young too consists 

 almost entirely of insects, and these mostly injurious ones. They 

 are, as a rule, encouraged in fruit orchards. 



Sturnus contains one species which migrates to the plains in 

 the cold weather S. menzbieri, and which works grass lands like 

 a typical starling. I have not seen it on ploughed or cultivated 

 lands. Other genera are composed mostly of uncommon or hill 

 species which can have but little reference to agriculture, and we 

 can safely assume that as long as these birds are not greatly on the 



