246 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



Fam ily — Stu rnidce. 

 Genus — 



1. Lamprocolius, L. ajirntus. Purple-headed Glossy 



Starliug. 

 L. rufiventris. Rufous-vented Glossy 

 Starlinf^. 



2. Lainprotoniis. L. ceneus. Long-tailed Glossy 



Stalling. 



Purple-Hkaded Glossy Starling. — This splendid bird 

 is about the same size as its English namesake, and is per- 

 haps the most brilliant in colouring of all its relatives. 

 The head and lower part of the body are purple, with a 

 violet blue tinge, which is deeper on the throat ; the wings 

 and back are green, with a metallic gloss, and the short tail 

 purple. The head is remarkably flat ; and the eye, being 

 large and of a bright yellow hue, gives the bird a very 

 peculiar appearance. 



In confinement, this bird should be fed like its European 

 relative ; it is easily kept, and has bred in more than one 

 aviary. 



The female is like her mate, but has less of the bright 

 metallic gloss that adds such lustre to his plumage. 



Rufous- Vented Glossy Starling. — This species is of a 

 dark purplish green all over, except on the lower part of 

 the body, where the purple deepens into a deep rufous in a 

 .strong light. 



Male and female are much alike, but the latter is less 

 brilliant in appearance. 



The treatment should be the same as for the last, which 

 it resembles as regards size and habits. It has bred more 

 than once in confinement. 



Long-Tailed Glossy Starling. — This magnificent bird 

 which, by the brilliance of its colouring, reminds the specta- 



