136 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
Sea. The most westerly recorded instance of its breeding in large numbers is in 
Lombardy. At Villafranca, near Verona, in 1875, great numbers bred in the castle, 
having followed in the wake of a flight of locusts. They have not been known 
to breed in Palestine; but Tristram describes enormous numbers passing through 
on their spring migration. Eastwards they breed in South Russia and the 
; Caucasus, Turkestan, and South Siberia, as far east as Lake Saisan. They have 
been observed in North-west Persia and Afghanistan in spring. ‘They winter in 
India in enormous numbers, and are occasionally found as far south as Ceylon. 
The most easterly locality recorded of this bird is the Andaman Islands, where 
flocks were seen by Col. Tytler, in January (‘‘ Ibis,” 1867, p. 331). At this season 
of the year, and on the spring and autumn migrations, they have occurred in 
almost every country of Europe, from Spain in the west to Sweden in the north, 
and have been known to stray as far south as North Africa, one or two examples 
having been recorded from Egypt and Algeria.” 
In Great Britain the first recorded specimen was killed at Norwood, in Surrey, 
and was described in 1743; since then it has been met with in almost every 
county; the latest occurrence being of one observed on an apple-tree at Greatham, 
near Liss, in Hampshire, on May 4th, 1896, and secured by its observer (Vide 
Zoologist, 1896, p. 382). 
The male in breeding-plumage has the head, neck, and breast glossy purplish 
black; the wings including the coverts, the tail and coverts of both surfaces glossy 
greenish black, and the remainder of both surfaces pale salmon-rose; the bill is 
also rose-coloured, but more orange towards the base which is blackish; the feet 
brown; iris bright brown. The female is altogether duller, and has a somewhat 
smaller crest. After the autumn moult the black feathers are tipped with greyish 
brown, and the rosy feathers with dusky brown, the crest being also undeveloped ; 
but a gradual change takes place in the spring. The young are very similar to 
adults in winter plumage, but show no trace of black or rose-colour on the feathers, 
their wing- and tail-feathers have buff edges; the bill is browner, and the feet are 
more flesh-tinted. 
Like the common Starling this bird is eminently gregarious in its habits. 
Jerdon observes that “it usually makes its appearance in the Deccan and Carnatic 
about November, associating in vast flocks, and committing great devastations on 
the grain fields, more especially on those of the Cholum or Jowaree (Andropogon 
sorghus)”’; he then quotes the following from Mr. Elliot’s manuscript notes.:— 
“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 
