236 



only Sturnus vulgaris and S. menzbieri (which, as above shown, cannot be separated from 

 S. vulgaris), and to the latter group belong S. purpurascens, S. porphyronotus, S. poltaratskii, and 

 S. caucasicus. Of these I hold that Sturnus porphyronotus cannot be separated from S.purpu- 

 rascens, and that both Sturnus poltaratskii and S. caucasicus are very close to S. purpurascens — 

 differing therefrom only in being more glossed with green, the former having the back glossed 

 with steely green and the rump purple, whereas in Sturnus caucasicus the green gloss extends 

 down to the rump. 



In the accompanying Table (page 235) I give the differences between the above-mentioned 

 forms of Siurnis vulgaris and S. 'purpurascens, which will illustrate best my remarks on the 

 subject. 



