276 On the White-bellied Amethyst Starling.


the top of some convenient bush or other advantageous station.

In the Transvaal many of these birds are resident, particularly

in the Rustenberg district, where they breed ; at the same time

the majority appear to migrate towards Spring. When migrating

or moving for any distance, they fly in flocks and usually at a

considerable height.


Anderson remarks that in Daniara Rand this species is

migratory “ arriving at the approach of the rainy season, and

gradually leaving as the country dries up, though I have observed

a few individuals remaining long after the general emigration

was over, and these may probably stay throughout the year. The

exquisitely coloured males arrive first, and, as far as I have

observed, associate but little with the sombre females, from which

they differ so marvellously in appearance.”


“ Like the other Glossy Starlings, this species builds its

nest in the holes of trees, in the Transvaal in December, lining

some natural hollow, or the old uest-liole of a Barbet, with wool

and feathers, over which they (sic.) place green leaves, which

are renewed from time to time. The eggs, usually four in

number, are pale blue, sparingly spotted with pale brown at the

large end. They measure 0.9^ x 0.70.” According to Guy A. K.

Marshall the cries of this bird are somewhat harsh, but the male

frequently utters a very sweet, plaintive whistle. Jackson de¬

scribes the nest and eggs as follows:—“Nest found in hole of

hollow stump, five feet from the ground, composed of fine green

leaves, small, like those of privet. Two eggs, pale greenish blue,

with reddish brown speckles.”


Owing to the generally high price and noisy habits of the

Glossy Starlings I have never possessed one of them, although

their great beauty has often tempted me. They should be quite

easy to breed in a large outdoor aviary provided that one could

secure both sexes ; but unhappily the females of many species

are rarely imported or not at all. In a natural classification I

should judge that the Glossy Starlings, with Calornis at their

head, should certainly come immediately after the Icterine Star¬

lings and at the opposite extremity of the family from the true

Mynahs— Ac?idothe?-es and allies, which should precede the

Eulabetidee: after the latter the Ptilonorhynchidee and Paradiseidce



