ROSE-COLOURED PASTOR. 147 



of the Rev. Mr. Hamilton; one caught at Skaill, and kept 

 for some time in confinement; another shot by Mr. Urquhart, 

 at Elsness; and others also have been observed at Hoy. One 

 has occurred in Shetland. 



These birds are capable of being tamed. In their wild 

 state they are said to consort with the Starlings. 



Their food consists principally of insects, and in search of 

 some of these they frequently perch on the backs of sheep, 

 in the same way that the Starlings do, and hence, it would 

 appear, their generic name. They are considered in the 

 countries where they are numerous to be beneficial on this 

 account, and are therefore protected by the inhabitants, more 

 wise than some of ours in similar cases. They are also 

 partial to fruit, and are often accordingly found in gardens; 

 they likewise eat seeds. 



Their common note is a harsh one, but they have con- 

 siderable vocal powers. 



The nest is located in holes of trees, and in cavities in old 

 walls. 



The eggs are five or six in number, and are said by the 

 Hon. Thomas Littleton Powys, on the authority of Mr. Linder, 

 of Geneva, to be white, resembling those of the Starling. 



Male; length, eight inches and a half to nearly nine inches; 

 bill, yellowish rose-colour, except at the tip, which, with part 

 of the upper one, is almost black; iris, deep reddish brown; 

 a crest, which comes to its full length in the third year, is 

 formed of the elongated feathers of the head, which, as well 

 as the crown, neck on the back, and nape, is black glossed 

 with purple blue; chin and throat, black; breast and back, 

 delicate rose-colour. 



The wings have the first feather very short, only three 

 quarters of an inch long, the second the longest, the third 

 a little shorter than the second, the fourth a quarter of an 

 inch shorter than the third, and the others graduated; greater 

 wing coverts, glossy black, with green reflections; lesser wing 

 coverts, black, margined with grey; primaries, brownish black, 

 tinged with green; some of the secondaries are glossy black 

 with green reflections, and some of them only so on the outer 

 webs. The tail is rather short, and slightly rounded, its 

 colour glossy greenish black; under tail coverts, black. Legs 

 and toes, yellowish brown; claws, darker brown. 



The female resembles the male, but her colours are much 



