584 PERCHING BIRDS 



bronze and purple, wliile that of the under- parts shimmers with 

 iridescent reflections of steely blue and green. After the autumnal 

 moult the colour of the beak changes to dark horn, and the plumage 

 becomes spangled above with buff and below with white, owing to the 

 development of spots on the tips of the new feathers, which become 

 worn away during the winter, thus giving rise to the spring-livery. 

 The hen is rather duller in colour than her mate, and retains a certain 

 amount of spotting in spring ; but young birds differ from both parents 

 in their brown plumage, fading almost to white on the abdomen. 



Although only a winter- visitor to the Mediterranean countries, 

 the starling is distributed all over Europe ; and its range is definitely 

 known to extend as far east in winter as Egypt and Persia. In the 

 Himalaya and some parts of Central Asia it is, however, replaced by 

 allied species, such as .S". Iiuuiei and S. porphyronotiis^ which visit India 

 in winter. In the British Isles starlings are to be met with every- 

 where, and at the present day in increasing numbers, partly owing to 

 the enormous flocks which arrive }'early on the eastern coasts in 

 autumn. This is more specially noticeable in Scotland, where these 

 birds now abound in districts to which they were formerly stragglers 

 or unknown. The same increase is noticeable even in the Outer 

 Hebrides, which, although an ancient habitat of the species, has of late 

 years participated in the enormous augmentation of numbers. Whether 

 this increase in the Hebrides is to be attributed to the indigenous birds, 

 or to migrations from the mainland, does not appear to be ascertained. 



To fruit-growers this vast increase in the number of British 

 starlings is an unmitigated evil ; and complaints are still louder in 

 Australia, where these birds have been introduced. It appears that 

 some years ago a few pairs of starlings were taken to Australia for 

 the destruction of insects, and were protected b)' law. The\' increased 

 rapidly and arc now to be counted b\' thousands. In Melbourne it 

 is stated that they have completely changed their habits, and have 

 become a serious pest to fruit and flowers. So destructive have 

 they become to the fruit- intlustry that the regulations framed for 

 their protection have been repealed, and energetic steps are advocated 

 for their extermination. I''rom many districts it is reported that 

 fruit-growing will have to be given up unless radical measures are 

 taken. Valuable insect-eating birds, such as kingfishers, diainond- 

 birds, tree-swallows, and tree-creepers, are being driven out of their 

 nesting-places in tree hollows by swarms of starlings. 



On the other hand, it has to be admitted that in Britain starlings 

 •destroy a number of mischievous insects and grubs. 



