STURXINiE. 
first quill spurious ; the second rather shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal and longest. 
Tail short and even. Tarsi longer than the middle toe, strong, and covered in front with broad trans- 
verse scales. Toes moderate ; the outer toe rather longer than the inner, and united at the base ; the 
hind toe long ; the claws moderate, slightly curved, and acute. 
The type of this genus inhabits Africa, especially the eastern portions of that continent, where it appears in 
numerous flocks, and usually in company with wild cattle. It is often observed perched on the trees, keeping up a 
continual chattering, which is varied at intervals by a shariJ and broken cry. Its food consists of seeds, worms, and 
insects ; in search of these it migrates from place to place. 
D. carunculatus (Gmel.) Vieill. Levaill. Ois. d'Afr. t. 93, 94'. — Sturnus gallinaceus Lath.; Gracula larvata Shaw. 
Sturnopastou Hodgs.* 
Bill long, acutely conical, with the culmen sloping, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 
obtuse ; the lateral margins straight, and the gonys long and ascending ; the nostrils lateral, basal, and 
placed in a membranous groove, which is clothed with short feathers. Wings moderate, and rather 
pointed ; with the first quill spurious, the second rather shorter than the third, and the fourth the 
longest. Tail moderate, broad, and rounded. Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe, strong, and 
covered in front with broad scales. Toes long, the lateral toes nearly equal, the outer toe slightly 
united at the base, the hind toe very long ; the claws long, curved, and very acute. 
The species that compose this division inhabit India, where they live in large flocks, and are usually observed feeding 
on the ground, sometimes In company with other birds. 
1. S. confm (Linn.) Edwards's Birds, pi. 187- 
Linn. PI. enl. 280. 
2. S. Jalla Horsf. Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 155. 
• Sturnus capensis 
3. .'' S. melanoleiicus (Less.) Tr. d'Orn. p. 401.; Type of 
Gracupica Lens. (1831). 
Sturnus Li7in.f 
Bill rather long, acutely conical, and straight ; Avith the culmen flattened and straight to the tip, 
which is slightly depressed and entire ; the lateral margins nearly straight, but angulated at the base ; 
the nostrils lateral, and placed in a membranous groove, which is clothed Avith short feathers. Wi7igs 
long and pointed ; with the first quill spurious; the second and third nearly equal, but the former the 
longest. Tail short, and nearly even. Tarsi as long as the middle toe, strong, and broadly scutellated. 
Toes long, the lateral toes equal, the outer united at the base, the hind toe long ; the claws long, curved, 
and acute. 
* Mr. Hodgson established this genus in 1813. It probably embraces Gracupica of M. Lesson (1831). 
t Linnaeus established this genus in 1735. 
