COMPANY SCHOOL LUCKNOW OR CALCUTTA, INDIA, CIRCA 1775-85

First identified by Linnaeus in 1758, the rose-coloured starling has a distinctive pink body contrasting with its black head, wings and tail. The bird is typically found in the open steppes of Central Asia and eastern Europe but migrates to India in vast numbers for winter where there are abundant locusts and cereals for food. A painting from the Claude Martin album of a rose-coloured starling with its first winter coat, which appears rather different to the one shown here, was sold in these Rooms from the Niall Hobhouse Collection, 22 May 2008, lot 20 (part lot).