CHAPTER III 



THE PAEMBE'S FOES 



STARLINGS 



EiEST in order of classification comes the Spreeuw, or Pied 

 Starling {Spreo hicolor), -which is very common throughout 

 South Africa, excepting the Natal littoral and German South - 

 West territory. 



It feeds chiefly on insects, but during the fruit season 

 creates enormous havoc amongst the fruit crops, notably 

 figs. They are so destructive in some districts that, unless 

 strong measures are taken, hardly a ripe fig remains to be 

 gathered. With a bird of this description it is exceedingly 

 dif&cult to know where to place it. It has no beauty in its 

 brown plumage (which has, however, bronzy reflections in 

 the sun), and white abdomen, and does probably quite as 

 much good in destrdyiug insect pests as harm by devouring 

 figs and other fruit. However, to the fruit farmer, and the 

 householder who possesses a few fruit trees, it is an undoubted 

 nuisance, so we perforce include it ia this chapter. 



The Pied Starling nests in holes and dongas, prospecting 

 pits, and walls, or under stones, and lays from four to six 

 greenish-blue eggs during the months of August to October. 

 Dr. Stark says the eggs are occasionally marked with reddish- 

 brown. 



The Eed-winged Starling {Amydrus morio), or Eooivlerk, as 

 the Dutch term it, is glossy blue-black with reddish-chestnut 

 primary wing feathers. 



