STURNUS. 



11 



where they are very fond of closely attending cattle while feeding, and almost 

 every other kind of haunt, both inland and on the coast, notably near 

 houses and ruins. Their food consists of insects, worms, grubs, fruit, 

 berries, and various kinds of seeds. Their call-notes are harsh ; but they 

 have considerable powers of song, and in confinement readily learn to 

 imitate different tunes and even words. Their flight is very strong and 

 powerful, and on the ground they walk or run. They build bulky slovenly 

 nests of grass, straws, roots, feathers, and aliliost every kind of material 

 to hand, placing them in holes of walls, rocks, trees, or buildings. Their 

 eggs are from -four to six in number, greenish blue in ground-colour, 

 without any markings. 



