212 CONIROSTRES. 



FAMILY III. 



Sturnid.e. The Starlimjs. 



Gen. Charac. — Bill more or less long, with the sides compressed, the eulmen 

 slightly curved or straight to the tip, which is sometimes emarginated, and 

 the gape often angulated ; the wings long and pointed; the tail generally 

 long and even, or graduated ; the tarsi more or less long, and covered in 

 front with broad scales ; the toes long and strong, the hind toe verj' long 

 and robust; the claws long, curved, and acute. 



The birds of this family are nearly related to the 

 Corvidse^ both in their structure and habits. They 

 are for the most part sociable^ collecting in flocks, 

 especially during the autumn and winter, and even 

 during the breeding season they are generally to be 

 seen in company. Their food consists of worms, in- 

 sects, fruit, and grain, — articles which also constitute 

 a considerable portion of the diet of Crows ; but the 

 Starlings do not appear to imitate the latter birds 

 either in their taste for carrion or in their predatory 

 propensities ; they are, however, very sagacious, 

 and become docile and amusing in captivity, when 

 some of them may be taught various tricks, and even 

 to speak a few words. 



To this family belong the Glossy Starlings, the 

 (xrakles, the Beef-eaters, the Starlings proper, the 

 Boat-tails^ the Hang-nests, and the Troop-birds. 



