136 BRITISH LAND BIRDS. 



associate with, other birds, but imitate their cries ; 

 chattering with jack-daws, whistling with plovers, 

 and screaming with sea-fowl. 



Very nearly allied to the starling is the ROSE- 

 COLOURED PASTOR, one of the handsomest of our 

 occasional British birds. Though only an acci- 

 dental visitor to this country, its beauty attracts 

 particular notice, and its capture is more regu- 

 larly recorded than that of many other equally 

 rare birds. The colours of the plumage, in the 

 male bird, are violet-black, on the head and neck; 

 the feathers on the crown of the head being elon- 

 gated, so as to form a flowing .crest. The back, 

 breast, and belly, are of a delicate rose-colour. 

 This bird flies, like the starling, in flocks, and 

 in other habits and peculiarities also resembles 

 that species. It feeds about among flocks and 

 herds, (whence it was probably called Pastor ; i. e. 

 shepherd, or herdsman) and frequently mounts 

 on the back of sheep and cattle, in search of the 

 grubs which are found there. Insects appear to 

 form a principal part of its food, but it also is 

 fond of fruit, and has been often seen in gardens. 



