PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 109 



ptera on which it chiefly feeds. It has been known to nest at irregular and uncertain 

 intervals in Italy (1875), Hungary (in 1837 and also recently), Slavonia, Dalmatia, 

 and Croatia occasionally, probably in Albania, frequently in Roumania, Bulgaria, 

 and S. Russia, as well as from Asia Minor east to Turkestan and North Persia. It 

 is also said to have bred in the Cyclades and in Switzerland. Outside its breeding 

 range it has occurred in flocks at rare intervals in other parts of Europe, chiefly 

 south of the Baltic and North Seas, but has been known to visit the Russian 

 Baltic provinces, Finland, and Lapland, and has also been recorded from North 

 Africa, and winters in India and Ceylon. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. A rare and irregular visitor on migration, chiefly in the 

 summer months. The records are for all parts of the British Isles except that there 

 is only one for Connaught and none for the Outer Hebrides ; the great majority, 

 moreover, are for the eastern side of Great Britain (cf. Saunders, Man. Brit. B., 

 2nd ed., 1899, p. 229 ; Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 229 ; Nelson, 

 B. of Yorks, 1907, p. 222 ; and Forrest, Fauna N. Wales, 1907, p. 170). As regards 

 the origin of the irregular visitations of this species, it has been remarked that " as 

 a rule its arrival has taken place between May and October, and the visitors to our 

 shores appear to have been birds which had separated from flocks of their own 

 species and joined those of starlings, etc." (Saunders, loc. cit.). The birds which occur 

 in a similar erratic way on Heligoland have been accounted for as being individuals 

 which have overshot their normal spring immigration into South-eastern Europe. 

 A few young birds of the year, still in their grey plumage, have been recorded from 

 Heligoland. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Does not breed in the British Isles. For some 

 description of their nesting habits see p. 137. 



5. Food. Insects, especially the various kinds of grasshoppers and locusts, 

 earthworms, fruit, including cherries and mulberries (von Nordmann), and, in 

 India, grain (Dresser). The young are fed by both parents on insects, usually 

 locusts and grasshoppers. [F. B. K.] 



6. Song Period. Does not appear to be recorded. 



