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insectivorous : their favourite article of diet consists of grasshoppers ; and they follow up the flocks 

 of these insects with greediness ; indeed it is a common belief in the Crimea that large flocks of 

 the birds foretell the arrival of swarms of these devouring insects ; but this is by no means 

 invariably the case. However, the Tartars and Armenians, in consideration of the services of the 

 Rose-coloured Pastors, treat them as sacred birds, notwithstanding the ravages which they 

 commit amongst the ripe cherries, and later on amongst the mulberries, their numbers being 

 increased by the birds of the year, which afterwards separate from their parents till after the 

 moult, when both old and young reunite until their departure in September. Von Nordmann 

 did not actually discover the nesting-place of this species — although, from the appearance of very 

 young birds about the middle of June, he felt persuaded that they had been reared not far from 

 the spot in Abasia where he was. Respecting its habits in India, Dr. Jerdon writes that " it 

 usually makes its appearance in the Deccan and Carnatic about November, associated in vast 

 flocks, and committing great devastations on the grain-fields, more especially on those of the 

 Cholum or Jowaree (Andropogon sorghus), whence its familiar name in the south. Mr. Elliot, in 

 his MS. notes, quoted in my catalogue, says, ' is very voracious and injurious to the crops of 

 white jowaree, in the fields of which the farmer is obliged to station numerous watchers, who, 

 with slings and a long rope or thong, which they crack dexterously, making a loud report, 

 endeavour to drive the depredators away. The moment the sun appears above the horizon they 

 are on the wing ; and at the same instant shouts and cries and the cracking of the long whips 

 resound from every side. The Tillyers, however, are so active that, if they are able to alight on 

 the stalks for an instant, they pick out several grains. About 9 or 10 o'clock, a.m. the exertions 

 of the watchmen cease ; and the Tillyers do not renew their plundering till evening. After sunset 

 they are seen in flocks of many thousands retiring to the trees and jungles for the night. They 

 prefer the half-ripe jowaree, whilst the farinaceous matter is still soft and milky. When they 

 can no longer get grain they feed on various grasses and other seeds, flower-buds, fruit, and also 

 on insects, seeking them on the ground, but are rarely seen with cattle in India. Their Telugu 

 name is derived from the name of a plant whose fruit they are particularly fond of.' Mr. Blyth 

 remarks that ' they visit the neighbourhood of Calcutta only at the end of the cool season, when 

 flocks of them are not unfrequently observed upon the arboreal cotton-trees then in bloom.' 

 Burgess states that he has seen them busily feeding on the flowers of the leafless caper, a shrub 

 very common in the Deccan on the banks of the larger rivers. Dr. Adams says that ' it is very 

 abundant in the Punjab, committing great havoc on the grain there.' In the north-west of 

 India, and in Afghanistan, they devour large quantities of mulberries in spring, hence called 

 the ' Mulberry-bird' in the northwest, disappearing afterwards. They at times, however, feed 

 much on insects, and are called the 'locust-eater' in Persia, according to Chesney. They do not 

 breed in this country, quitting the south of India in March, but lingering in the north a month 

 or so longer. It is ascertained that they breed in vast numbers in Syria and other parts of 

 Western Asia, in rocky cliffs. Burgess states his belief that they breed in India somewhere, and 

 was informed by a native that they do not breed in the Ghats. This, however, is doubtless 

 totally without foundation. Mr. Layard states that one year he saw large flocks of these birds 

 in July, and they remained only a week and then disappeared. They were entirely unknown to 

 the natives. Burgess also states that in 1850, towards the end of August, he saw a large flock 



