STURNUS. 519 



The nestling has the whole plumage sandy brown, the feathers 

 of the crown with darker centres, the lower plumage paler and 

 more inclined to white ; the whole fore neck streaked with brown ; 

 wings and tail dark brown, each feather edged with pale buff. 



Fig. 154. Head of P. roseus. 



At the first autumn moult the rose-colour is assumed in a faint 

 form, some black feathers make their appearance on the upper 

 breast, and the wings and tail become black. The fully adult 

 plumage is probably not assumed till the second autumn, and is 

 acquired by a gradual change of colour, not of feather. 



Iris dark brown ; legs and feet yellowish brown ; bill pinkish- 

 flesh, brown on the culmen (Butler). 



Length about 9; tail 2*5; wing 5-2; tarsus 1-25; bill from gape 1*3. 



Distribution. The whole of India as far east as Western Bengal, 

 Ball recording this species from Manbhoom. It is found on the 

 lower ranges of the Himalayas as far east as Sikhim. It extends 

 to Ceylon, and is said to have occurred in the Andamans. It is 

 absent from India from about the middle of May to the beginning of 

 July, but is abundant at other times. It occurs over a considerable 

 portion of Europe and Western and Central Asia. 



Habits, $c. Occurs in large flocks, feeding chiefly on or near the 

 ground on grain, fruit, and insects. This Starling has not been 

 found breeding in any part of India. It breeds in large societies 

 in Asia Minor and other parts in June, on rocky hill-sides, con- 

 structing its nest, which is merely a small pad of grass, on the 

 ground, under stones, or even in the open. The eggs, varying from 

 two to five, are white or bluish white, and measure about I'l by -8. 



Genus STURNUS, Linn., 1766. 



The genus Sturnus contains the true Starlings, birds which have 

 a wide distribution, and are more or less familiar and well-known 

 wherever they occur. 



The Starlings may be recognized by their bright plumage, which 



