18 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
I must not omit one more notice by Prof. Pellegrini, who was 
assured that a pair nested in 1873 near Recoara, and that the nest 
was found and taken with the young. 
But, after all, it is clear that this is the first time in which the 
Rose-coloured Starling has bred in Italy in such a way and in 
such large numbers as was exhibited this year at Villafranca. It 
will be most useful, and not less needful, for me to set forth as 
succinctly as possible all that I have been able to collect from 
trustworthy testimony, or that | have myself observed in frequent 
and repeated excursions from Verona with the same object. 
The arrival of Pastor roseus at Villafranca happened on the 
3rd June. About four o’clock in the afternoon of that day a small 
flock of from eighteen to twenty of these birds alighted on the high 
and ruined walls within the castle, and was followed in about half 
an hour by another flock of about one hundred, which by their 
continuous cries attracted the attention of all the people dwelling 
in the castle precincts. In a short time some country people 
assembled at the place, and soon witnessed another greater sight, 
for towards evening appeared many thousands of these Starlings 
which, joining with the first comers, stopped there till dusk, when 
all left the place they had visited, and dispersed in very numerous 
troops over the open country. It is easier to imagine than to narrate 
the discussions held on that day, and the astonishment of the 
inhabitants, who were greatly vexed at the sudden loss of these 
beautiful but unknown birds which bad just for the first time met 
their sight. 
But things did not thus continue, for towards 3 4. M. of the next 
day the inhabitants of Villafranca were unexpectedly awakened 
by the deafening cries of from twelve to fourteen thousand Rose- 
coloured Starlings which at that hour arrived there, so as to take 
absolute possession of the castle. A Veronese periodical (‘L’Arno,’ 
No. 147, 4th June, 1875) wrote on this subject that the Starlings 
covered the walls in such excessive numbers as to make them seem 
alive, and completely black in colour. 
From this moment another sight presented itself to the bystanders, 
for the new-comers without delay began an angry war against the 
other birds which had their ordinary abode in the castlek—Common 
Starlings, Swallows, Sparrows and Pigeons. These last were soou 
compelled to retreat to the higher towers. All the others were put 
to flight after a long and obstinate contest, which again was followed 
