342 INSESSORES. PASTOR. 



Genus PASTOR, Temm. PASTOR. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill conical, compressed ; upper mandible slightly arched, 

 and the point emarginated. Base of the lower mandible 

 strong, and the gape slightly angulated. Nostrils basal, la- 

 teral, and oval, partly covered by a membrane, and clothed 

 with small feathers. Tarsus strong, longer than the middle 

 toe. Feet strong, gressorial ; with three toes before and one 

 behind; the outer toe joined at its base to the middle one. 

 Claws rather stout, curved ; and that of the hind toe much 

 longer than the rest. Wings having the first quill very short, 

 and the second and third the longest. 



This genus, first established by Temminck, contains many 

 of the species of the genus Gracula of authors, and some 

 others, that were before improperly classed with the Star- 

 lings and Thrushes; amongst these are the Rose-coloured 

 Pastor, the Rose-coloured Ouzel {Ttirdus roseus), and Star- 

 ling {Stiirnus roseus), of different ornithologists. 



In manners the birds of this genus greatly resemble the 

 Starlings, with whom they frequently associate and live. 



Their chief food consists of insects. They are natives of 

 the Old Continent. 



