STUENID^ SPEED 29 



elsewhere in the Karroo, also near Colesberg and at Kakamas on the 

 Orange River. It also occurs in the Orange Free State, but is some- 

 what local and scarce. 



Habits. This species is more restricted in its distribution, but 

 frequents much the same localities as the common Eed-winged 

 Starling, which latter bird it also resembles in its general habits. 

 The two species are sometimes found together, as at Nel's Poort, 

 near Beaufort West, but, according to Layard, they do not mix in 

 the same flock, and the present is easily distinguished during flight 

 by its square tail as well as by the pale colour of the under side of 

 the wing. 



Dr. Bradshaw remarks that this Starling is "rather numerous 

 about Kakamas," on the Orange River, " not seen anywhere else, 

 not even at Upington, only seventy miles away along the river." 



Andersson says : " This is a tolerably common bird in Damara 

 Land and in the adjacent countries to the north and east, as well as 

 in Great and Little Namaqua Land. It is gregarious in its habits, 

 congregating in small flocks, and is partial to rocky localities ; it 

 sometimes flies at a considerable height, and frequents the water 

 morning and evening. It feeds on seeds, berries, insects, &c." 



The Pale-winged Starling builds its nest in the crannies of rocks, 

 of straws, dried grasses and various soft materials. The eggs, three 

 to five in number, are smaller than those of the Red- winged Starling 

 as well as somewhat paler in colour, with smaller markings. They 

 measure about 1-20 by 0*80. 



Genus III. SPREO. 



Type. 

 Spreo, Lesson, Traite, p. 407 (1831) S. bicolor. 



Bill, nostrils and wing as in Amydrus. Tail short and square, 

 the outstretched feet reaching to its end. Plumage slightly metallic. 

 Sexes alike. 



Six African species are included in the genus, one being confined 

 to South Africa. They feed chiefly on insects, and follow cattle 

 and sheep for the sake of ticks and other parasites. In their 

 general habits they closely resemble the European Starling (Sturnus 

 vulgaris). 



