CATALOGUE. 
541 
Sorghum), whence its common name. When the grain is cut, it 
commonly feeds on insects, seeking them on the ground, also on 
various grass-seeds, fruit, and flower-buds. It disappears in March, 
though straggling parties are met with even in April. The majority 
of birds in a flock are in immature plumage, the delicate salmon- 
colour of the adult bird being replaced by a dirty fawn-colour.'* 
Mr. Elliot has the following interesting note on this species : — " Is 
very voracious and injurious to the crops of the 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 to drive the 
depredators away. The moment the sun appears above the horizon, 
they are on the wing, and, at the same instant, shouts, cries, and the 
cracking of the long w^hips resound from every side. The Tillyers, 
however, are so active, that if they are able to alight on the stalks 
for an instant, they can pick out several grains. About 9 or 10 
o'clock, a.m., the exertions of the watchmen cease, and the Tillyers 
do not renew their plundering till the evening. After sunset, they 
are seen in flocks of many thousands, retiring to the trees and 
jungles for the night. They prefer the half-ripe Joioaree, whilst the 
farinaceous matter is still soft and milky." — (Jerdon.) 
" In Ceylon," remarks Mr. Layard, " I found large flocks of these 
birds at St. Pedro in July, but not one specimen, out of the many 
which fell at several discharges from a large gun into the huge flocks 
which for several days frequented one locality, proved an adult bird. 
They were very wary, and I could only approach them by creeping 
up behind hedges, and then raking them, as they rose, with my 
largest gun. At the end of about a week, they disappeared, and I 
saw no more of them. They were entirely unknown to the natives. 
Mr. Brodie, a fellow-worker in Ceylon zoology, found a few at 
Putlam, and noticed their extreme wildness; they perched on the 
summit of the low bushes which dotted the open plains, and he only 
succeeded in obtaining a single specimen, although he followed them 
for several days." 
"August 24, 1850. — Saw a large flock of the Eose-coloured 
Starling, with their broods, feeding in an open field, evidently on 
insects, as they were constantly in chase of them flying. I never 
saw this bird so early as it was in that year (as in general it visits 
the Deccan about November) ; and they arrived long before the 
Jowaree grain was ripe. This grain is their staple food : after it is 
cut and housed, I have observed them busily feeding on the flowers of 
VOL. II. n 
