BRITISH BIRDS. 



55 



THE STARLINGS. 



\Ye now pass on to a somewhat large family, that of the 

 starlings, of which but one species is a native of the 

 British Isles, namelv^ the Common Starlino-. 



Fam ily — S/u rnidcv. 



Genus — Stuniiis. S. vuls^an's. 



This well-known bird is black, reflecting various shades 

 of blue, purple, and bronze, and more or less covered with 

 small white spots, that impart a pepper-and-salt appear- 

 ance to tlie 

 plumage. The 

 bill, which is 

 pointed, and of 

 a yellowish col- 

 our, is about an 

 inch in length, 

 and is used for 

 probing after the 

 maggots and 

 grubs, on which 

 the bird mainly 

 subsists. 



The female 

 much resembles 

 the male, but 

 her plumage is 

 much less lus- 

 trous, and the spots on her body are larger, as well as more 

 numerous. 



The nest is made in holes of trees and buildings, under 



■^'^^fZa. 



Fig. 19 



The Starlhiij. 



