Sturnus unicolor, _Marm., apud Jerd. B. Ind._ ii, p. 322.
Sturnus nitens, _Hume; Hume, Rough Draft N. & E._ no. 682.
The Himalayan Starling breeds in Candahar, Cashmere, and the extreme
north-west of the Punjab. It is the bird which Dr. Jerdon includes in
his work as _S. unicolor_ (a very different bird, which does not occur
within our limits), and which Mr. Theobald referred to as breeding in
Cashmere as _Sturnus vulgaris_, which bird does not, as far as I can
learn, occur in the Valley of Cashmere, though it may in Yarkand.
This Starling lays towards the end of April at Peshawur, where I found
it nesting in holes in willow-trees in the cantonment compounds. In
Candahar it lays somewhat earlier, and in the Valley of Cashmere
somewhat later, viz. in the month of May.
It builds in holes of trees, in river-banks, and in old buildings and
bridges, constructing a loose nest of grass and grass-roots, with
sometimes a few thin sticks; it is perhaps more of a lining to the
hole than a true nest. It lays five or six eggs.
Mr. Brooks says:--"It is like _S. unicolor_, but smaller, with shorter
wing and more beautiful reflections. It is excessively abundant in
Cashmere, at moderate elevations, and in the Valley, and breeds in
holes of trees and in river-banks. The eggs are like those of _S.
vulgaris_, but rather smaller. The latter bird[A] occurs plentifully
in the plains of India in the cold weather, and is as profusely
spotted as English specimens. The bills vary in length, and are not
longer, as a rule, than those of British birds. I did not meet with
_S. vulgaris_ in Cashmere. It appears to migrate more to the west, for
it is said to be common in Afghanistan. _S. nitens_ also occurs in the
plains in the cold season. I have Etawah specimens. They are at that
time slightly spotted, but can always be very easily distinguished
from _S. vulgaris_."
[Footnote A: Mr. Brooks here refers to _S. menzbieri_.--ED.]
Mr. W. Theobald makes the following remark on its nidification in the
Valley of Cashmere:--"Lays in the second and third weeks of May; eggs
ovato-pyriform; size 1·15 by 0·85; colour, pale clear bluish green;
valley generally, in holes of bridges, tall trees, &c., in company
with _Corvus monedula_."
Captain Hutton records that "_S. vulgaris_ remains only during the
coldest months, and departs as spring approaches: whereas the present
species builds in the spring at Candahar, laying seven or eight blue
eggs, and the young are fledged about the first week in May."
The eggs of this species are generally somewhat elongated ovals, a
good deal compressed towards one end, and not uncommonly more or less
pyriform. They are glossy, but in a good light have the surface a good
deal pitted. They are entirely devoid of markings, and seem to have
the ground one uniform very pale sea-greenish blue. They appear to
vary very little in colour, and to average generally a good deal
smaller than those of the Common Starling.
They vary in length from 1·02 to 1·19, and in breadth from 0·78 to
0·87; but the average of twenty eggs is 1·13 by 0·83.[A]
[Footnote A: STURNUS PORPHYRONOTUS, Sharpe. _The Central-Asian
Starling_.
This species breeds in Kashgharia, and visits India in winter. Dr.
Scully writes:--"This Starling breeds in May and June, making its nest
in the holes of trees and walls, and in gourds and pots placed near
houses by the Yarkandis for the purpose. It seems to make only a
simple lining for its hole, composed of grass and fibres. The eggs
vary in shape from a broadish oval to an elongated oval compressed at
one end; they are glossy and, in a strong light, the surface looks
pitted. The eggs are quite spotless, but the colour seems also to vary
a good deal--from a deep greenish blue to a very pale light sea-blue.
In size they vary from 1·1 to 1·22 in length, and from 0·80 to 0·86 in
breadth; but the average of nine eggs is 1·19 by 0·83."]