102 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



THE ROSE-COLOURED STARLING. 

 (Pastor Rosens , Temm. Martin rosclin, Temm.) 



Is about the size of the Starling. The bill is 

 blushed with red, and slightly notched at the tip, 

 whence, to the corners of the mouth, it is nearly an 

 inch and a quarter long; the irides are dark hazel. 

 Length about nine inches ; weight rather more 

 than two ounces and a half. The feathers on the 

 head are long forming a silky looking crest, and 

 those on the fore part of the neck partake of the 

 same appearance. The head, crest, neck, wings, 

 tail, and upper coverts, are black, glossed with 

 shades of blue, purple, and green : the back, rump, 

 breast, and belly, pale rose red. The tail consists 

 of twelve feathers : the middle ones somewhat 

 shorter than those on the outsides ; its under 



