17 
Ornithology of Cyprus. 
numbers until November, when they are frequently observed 
feeding along with the Rooks and Jackdaws close to the towns. 
They leave again for the north not later than the end of 
March. No doubt the composition of these flocks is mixed, 
and comprises examples of at any rate the succeeding three 
forms dealt with, but until a larger series than I have as yet 
been able to handle has been examined, I am only capable 
of giving the results of what, so far as I know, has been 
already ascertained. With regard to Sturnus vulgaris, it is 
not very clear whether any of the Starlings actually obtained 
by Pearse and Guillemard belonged to this species, but the 
latter writes that he shot one near Salamis, presumably in 
early March of 1888, although he seems to have met with 
flocks of Starlings, some of which turned out to belong to 
the next species, in several different localities. None of the 
Starlings sent by Glaszner to Madarasz were referable to 
S. vulgaris, and the few which I have had in the flesh were, 
so far as I could judge, obviously either S. purpurascens or 
S. poltaratzskyi. Lord Lilford, however, states, from Pearse^s 
and Guillemard’s specimens, that the Common Starling is a 
winter visitor, and I have little doubt that he is correct. 
The Starlings are eagerly pursued by the local gunners, 
and are considered excellent for the table. 
568. Sturnus purpurascens Gould. 
The Purple-winged Starling composes at any rate part of 
the winter flights of Starlings which visit the island. 
Guillemard obtained a number of examples at the end of 
February at Kouklia Marsh which he regarded as belonging 
to this form, and one of which at any rate was subsequently 
identified by Sharpe. Glaszner sent three specimens to 
Madarasz which had been taken near Larnaca, and I 
received in November 1908 four examples from the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Nicosia. 
Sturnus porphyronotus Sharpe. 
Madarasz, who recognises this form as distinct, received 
four specimens from Glaszner, taken near Larnaca in January. 
February, and March. I am not at all sure that I should be 
able to distinguish it from S. purpurascens . 
SER. IX.-VOL. IV. 
C 
