THE AFRICAN BEEF-EATER. 



105 



attraction in watching the gradual assemblage of Starlings. About an hour before sunset little flocks, 

 by twenties or fifties, kept gradually dropping in, their numbers increasing as daylight waned, till one 

 vast flight was formed, amounting to thousands, and at times, we might almost say, to millions, 

 Nothing could be more interesting or beautiful than to witness their graceful evolutions. At lir.st 

 they might be seen advancing high in the air, like a dark cloud, which in an instant, as if by magic, 

 became almost invisible, the whole body, by some mysterious watchword or signal, changing their 

 course, and presenting their wings to view edgeways, instead of exposing, as before, their full expanded 

 spread. Again, in another moment, the cloud might be seen descending in a graceful sweep, so as 

 almost to brush the earth as they glanced along. Then once more they were seen spiring in wide 

 circles on high, till at length, with one simultaneous rush, down they glide with a roaring noise of 



AFRICAN BEEF-EATER. 



wing till the vast mass buries itself unseen, but not unheard, amidst a bed of reeds projecting from 

 the bank, adjacent to the wood, for no sooner were they perched than erery throat seemed to open 

 itself, forming one incessant confusion of tongues." 



THE SECOND SUB-FAMILY OF THE STURNID^E. THE BEEF-EATERS. 



This sub-family of the Starlings is represented by only two species, both peculiar to Africa. They 

 are very unlike the true Starlings, having a very stout and hard bill, which is straight and swollen just 

 behind the tip ; the nostrils are bare ; the feet are very short and stout, and are furnished with curved 

 claws, which are extremely sharp. 



THE AFRICAN BEEF-EATER (BiipJiaga africana). 



Although commonly known as the Beef-eater, it must not be supposed that the birds actually feed 

 on the flesh of the animals whose backs they frequent in order to gain a living. More than one 

 traveller, however, has complained of the wounds caused in the backs of the cattle by these birds in 

 their endeavours to extract the grubs from them. Mr. Andersson gives the following note on the habits 



