FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 189 



the abdomen is whitish-grey, and the tail dark brown ; 

 the lesser wing-coverts are red with a rusty tinge, and the 

 greater black with red edges and white ends forming 

 two transverse bars across the wing. 



The male and female are exactly alike. 



It is a shy and solitary bird, rarely found in more than 

 pairs in woods and copses and out-lying fields. The nest 

 is always made in a hole in a tree, and never among the 

 branches or in buildings of any kind. 



It is not easily tamed, but will live on a mixed diet of 

 seed and insects for several years in the house. 



THE SPARROW-HAWK. See imder Hawks. 



THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. See under Fly 

 catchers. 



THE SPOTTED WOODPECKERS. See iinderVJood- 

 peckers. 



THE STANNEL H AWK. See Kestrel (//;/./^/ Hawks) 



THE STARLING. 



Fortunately for the agriculturist, this is one of the com- 

 monest of our native birds. He is somewhat less in size 

 than the Thrush and has peculiar plumage, consisting of 

 long very pointed black feathers with metallic reflections 

 of blue and bronze and white round spots. The female 

 has less brilliant tints, and the young are grey, spotted 

 with white. Albinos occasionally occur, as witness the 

 illustration, from a photo by Mr. \V. Bush, F.C.S. 



In their wild state Starlings live entirely on grubs and 

 worms, except during the fruit season, when they take a 



