STURNINiE. 
quill spurious ; the second rather shorter than the third and fourth, which are equal and longest, 
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 sharp and broken cry. Its food consists of seeds, worms, and 
nisects ; in search of these it migrates from place to place. 
A carunculatus (Gmel.) Vieill. Levaill. Ois. d’Afr. t. Q3, f)4. — Sturnus gallinaceus Lath.; Graoula larvata Shaw. 
Sturnopastor Hodgs.* 
Bid long, acutely conical, with the culmen sloping, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 
°htus e ; 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 
c e st. Tail moderate, broad, and rounded. Tarsi rather longer than the middle toe, strong, and 
° v eied in front with broad scales. Toes long, the lateral toes nearly equal, the outer toe slightly 
n hed at the base, the hind toe very long ; the claws long, curved, and very acute. 
The 
°n the 
species that compose this division inhabit India, where they live in large flocks, and are usually observed feeding 
ground, sometimes in company with other birds. 
J , S 
I in "°° ntra ( Li nn.) Edwards's Birds, pi. 187. — Sturnus capensis 
' "• PL enl. 280. 
• Jolla Horsf. Linn. Trans, xiii. p. 155. 
3. ? S. melanoleucus (Less.) Tr. d'Orn. p. 401.; Type of 
Gracupica Less. (1831). 
Bill 
Hich 
Sturnus Linn. f 
father long, acutely conical, and straight ; with the culmen flattened and straight to the tip, 
ls slightly depressed and entire ; the lateral margins nearly straight, but angulated at the base ; 
Nostrils lateral, and placed in a membranous groove, which is clothed with short feathers. Wings 
& ai| d pointed ; with the first quill spurious ; the second and third nearly equal, but the former the 
the 
Ion a 
O 
n &«st. Tail short, and nearly even. Tarsi as long as the middle toe, strong, and broadly scutellated. 
6S ^° n & tlie lateral toes equal, the outer united at the base, the hind toe long ; the claws long, curved, 
:iri( l acute. 
Mr. Hodgson established this genus in 1843. It probably embraces Gracupica of M. Lesson (1831). 
t fin nseus established this genus in 1735. 
