533. Sturnus poltaratzskii.
Finsch's Starling.
Sturnus poltaratzskii, Finsch, P. Z. S. 1878, p. 712; Sharpe, Ibis, 1888, p. 439: Scully, J. A. S. B. lvi, pt. ii, p. 86; Sharpe, Cat. B. M. xiii, p. 36. Sturnus nobilior, Hume, S. F. viii, p. 170 (1879).
Coloration. Resembles S. humii.
Gloss. Head, throat, neck, tail, and wings purplish red; hind neck, back, and breast bronze-green; scapulars and rump purplish blue : abdomen purplish red.
Bill yellow in summer, the base of the lower mandible born-grey ; feet reddish brown ; iris brown (Finsch).
Length about 8.5 ; tail 2.6; wing 4.8 to 5.2; tarsus 1.2 ; bill from gape 1.3.
Distribution. The only specimens that I have seen of this Starling from India are, one from Mardan in the Punjab on the borders of Cabul, another from N. W. India, and one from Sind. The first is in the Hume collection, the second in the Gould collection, the third was collected by Blanford on the Manchhar.
This Starling occurs westwards as far as Europe in winter, and in Siberia and Central Asia in summer. Finsch found it breeding on lake Marka-Kul in the Chinese High Altai at 5000 feet in June.
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