The ROSE STARLING, or SHEPHERD-BIRD (_Pastor roseus_), is another
European species, nearly related to those last described, but having
the beak somewhat more compressed at its sides, and the upper mandible
slightly curved; the wings are also larger, and the tarsi higher than in
the common Starling. In the old male the feathers upon the head become
elongated, and thus form a kind of tuft. The Rose Starling is from eight
and a quarter to eight and three-quarter inches long, and from sixteen to
eighteen and a half broad; the wings measure three inches and a quarter.
The plumage of the old male is a rich black upon the head, throat, and
upper breast, these parts being enlivened by a beautiful purple gloss,
also visible upon the wings and tail, which are brownish black; the rest
of the body is of a delicate rose colour. The plumage of the female is
paler in its tints and her tuft smaller than that of her mate. The young
wear the same garb as other young Starlings.
South-Eastern Europe and a great part of Central Asia afford a home to
this beautiful species, which only occasionally visits other portions of
our Continent, but migrates regularly to countries still further south.
In its mode of life it very much resembles the Common Starling, with
which it frequently associates, the various flocks at times sleeping in
company upon beds of reeds, though the Rose Starling usually prefers to
seek the shelter of the woods during the night. The movements of these
birds when upon the ground are easier than those of their congeners; but
their voice is strange and unpleasing--indeed, the song of a party of
them has been well described as resembling the noises made by a number
of rats when the latter are fighting and disputing amongst themselves;
moreover, so peculiar is their manner of singing when any number are
together, that a listener would imagine them to be engaged in shrill
and noisy altercation. In some parts of the country they are known as
the _Grasshopper Starlings_, on account of the large numbers of those
insects destroyed by their agency; their appearance is consequently often
regarded as an unfailing sign that the much-dreaded swarms of locusts are
about to infest the land; others do great service by clearing the backs
of cattle from many tormenting parasites. In India, however, the Rose
Starlings are by no means regarded with favour, as the damage they do to
the fields of rice is frequently extremely serious, and when this means
of support is no longer obtainable, other kinds of seeds and grain are
resorted to and destroyed in large quantities. Both the nest and eggs
resemble those of other Starlings. The disposition of the Shepherd-bird
is gentle and pleasing, but it is entirely without the amusing qualities
by which the members of this family are usually characterised.
[Illustration: THE ROSE STARLING (_Pastor roseus_).]
* * * * *
The MINA BIRDS (_Acridotheres_) form a distinct group of Starlings,
inhabiting the continent of India. In these birds the beak is short,
strong, and slightly curved at its roof; the feet are powerful, the toes
long, the tail rounded at its extremity, and the head ornamented with a
crest.