98 



BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Plumage. — Chestnut-brown crown and back of head; black lore, 

 car-covcrts. and throat ; white collar almost all round neck ; 

 upper parts as House Sparrow; two transverse white bars on 

 wing. Length. — Five and a half inches. 



STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris] 



Local Names. — Black Felt, Brown Starling, Chepster, Jacob, Sheep- 

 rack, Sheep Stare, Sheep Starling, Shepster, Snow Bird, Solitary 

 Thrush (young), Speckled Stare, Star 

 Thrush (young), Stare. 



Haunt. — Woods, trees, fields, and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — March to June. 



Site of Nest. — Holes in trees, buildings, 

 ivy-covered ruins, stacks, etc. 



Materials Used. — Sticks, grass, straw, 

 paper, feathers, wool, moss, etc. An 

 untidy structure. 



Eggs. — Four to Six. Pale blue; a trifle 

 pointed. 



Food. — Worms, larvae, and scraps of 

 various kinds; fond of fruit. 



Voice. — A curious " chatter " and a 

 characteristic " phe-ii." Introduces 

 notes of other birds, especially that 

 of the Lapwing. 



Chief Features. — A gregarious species; 

 freely mixes with Rooks and Jackdaws, 

 panies. May be taught to imitate various calls and cries, and 

 one I had uttered the note of the Cuckoo to perfection. 



Plumage. — Black, with green and purple reflections; pale-buff tips 

 on upper feathers; white edges to under tail-coverts; yellow 

 beak ; flesh-coloured feet, with brownish tinge. Female spotted 

 on under parts as well as above; young ash-brown and un- 

 spotted. Length. — Eight and a half inches. 



Fig. 37. Starling. 

 Roosts in large com- 



STOXECHAT [Pratincola rubicola) 



Local Names. — Blackcap, Black-Headed Bush-Chat, Blacky-Top, 

 Blethering Tarn, Chickstone, Furze Hacker, Moor Tite, Moor 

 Titling, Stonechack, Stonechaker, Stoncchatter, Stonechink, 

 Stonesmick, Stoncsmith. 



Haunt. — Furze commons and similar places. 



Nesting Period. — End of April or early May. 



Site of Nest. — At the bottom of a bush, or hidden among herbage. 



