BOSE-COLOFBED PASTOR. 
147 
of the Rev. Mr. Hamilton; one caught at Skaill, and kjpt 
for some time in confinement; another shot by Mr. Urquhart, 
at Elsness; and others also have been observed at Hoy. One 
has occurred in Shetland. 
These birds are capable of being tamed. In their wild 
state they are said to consort with the Starlings. 
Their food consists principally of insects, and in search of 
some of these they frequently perch on the backs of sheep, 
in the same way that the Starlings do, and hence, it would 
appear, their generic name. They are considered in the 
countries where they are numerous to be beneficial on this 
account, and are therefore protected by the inhabitants, more 
wise than some of ours in similar cases. They are also 
partial to fruit, and are often accordingly found in gardens; 
they likewise eat seeds. 
Their common note is a harsh one, but they have con¬ 
siderable vocal powers. 
The nest is located in holes of trees, and in cavities in old 
walls. 
The eggs are five or six in number, and are said by the 
Hon. Thomas Littleton Powys, on the authority of Mr. Linder, 
of Geneva, to be white, resembling those of the Starling. 
Male; length, eight inches and a half to nearly nine inches; 
bill, yellowish rose-colour, except at the tip, which, with part 
of the upper one, is almost black; iris, deep reddish brown; 
a crest, which comes to its full length in the third year, is 
formed of the elongated feathers of the head, which, as well 
as the crown, neck on the back, and nape, is black glossed 
with purple blue; chin and throat, black; breast and back, 
delicate rose-colour. 
The wings have the first feather very short, only three 
quarters of an inch long, the second the longest, the third 
a little shorter than the second, the fourth a quarter of an 
inch shorter than the third, and the others graduated; greater 
wing coverts, glossy black, with green reflections; lesser wing 
coverts, black, margined with grey; primaries, brownish black, 
tinged with green; some of the secondaries are glossy black 
with green reflections, and some of them only so on the outer 
webs. The tail is rather short, and slightly rounded, its 
colour glossy greenish black; under tail coverts, black. Legs 
and toes, yellowish brown; claws, darker brown. 
The female resembles the male, but her colours are much 
