I20 British Birds, 



PARROT CROSSBILL— (Z^;i;/^ pityopsittacus). 



It has occurred in a few instances, but is much too 

 rare to be noticed by us at length ; and, indeed, the 

 same may be said of the two birds next named. 



TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL— (Zd?,t7^ bifasciata). 



WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL— (Z^.r/^ leucoptera; 

 formerly, L. falcirostrd). 



FAMILY XVIIL— ICTERIDiE. 

 RED-WINGED STARLING — (^^^/^z^^f phceniceus) 

 Several specimens, questionably wild, have been 

 met with. 



FAMILY XIX.— STURNIDiE. 



STARLING— (5///r?z?/j- vulgaris). 



Common Starling, Stare, Sheep-stare, Solitary 

 Thrush, Brown Starling. — The two last of these 

 names used to be applied to the young of the Starling. 

 Few cases of more brilliant plumage are met with in 

 our English birds than in the instance of the male of 

 the Common Starling. The metallic glow and play 

 of colours in the feathers of his head, neck, and back 

 is very beautiful. It is a very abundant bird, and it 

 is supposed by some that there are some peculiarities 

 in its breeding habits. I mean that I have heard it 

 asserted that the male is a polygamist, or rather 

 perhaps a bigamist. I never saw anything within 



