PASTOR.
Crested ; resembles "Sturnus" in habits and food; nests in colonies in holes in walls or rocks, in uncertain years and localities; eggs pale bluish white.
Adult. Rose-colour above and below ; head, neck, forebreast, wings, tail, and thighs black. Bill rosy, brown at base. Legs and feet dull brown. Wing 128-132. Tarsus 29-30. Bill 16-19.
Young greyish brown with yellowish or rufous margins, paler beneath, head and foreneck with dark streaks. The fully adult plumage is not assumed till third year.
Breeds.—S. E. Europe from Austria and Hungary through Balkan States and S. Russia to Caucasus, and east to Turkestan ; sporadically and sometimes in great numbers ; elsewhere in Europe irregular or rare visitor. Winters in India.