Practical Bird-Keeping .— VI. Starlings.



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—the Bobolink, which assumes a special nuptial plumage, after

the manner of Weavers of the genus Pyromelana. In their

nidification the let a idee are quite as varied as the Finches, both

with respect to the position and character of their nests; much

more so, indeed, than the Siurnidce , the majority of which breed

in holes: the Eulabetidce also build their nests in holes.


If one wishes to breed these birds, it is of course necessary

to acquaint oneself with their natural methods of nidification ;

and, as nearly every group of the Icteridce has its own method, it

will be necessary to consider each separately. So far few attempts

have been made to breed the New World Starlings in captivity,

owing probably to the difficulty of securing both sexes, so that

they offer a very promising field of enterprise to aviculturists.


The imported Icteridce are referable to five sub-families, the

first of which Agelcenince includes the Meadow Starlings and

Marsh Troupials, Maize-eaters, and Cow-birds, all of which can

be kept upon a seed-diet ; but the more slender-billed forms, for

which I have reinstated the generic name Agelasticus, do not live

long upon that food, but need to be treated like Bulbuls, Tanagers

and other fruit-eating insectivorous birds; they also differ from

the broader billed species in their more confiding nature, which

renders them suitable subjects for keeping in roomy cages,

whereas the Bobolink and other Meadow Starlings as well as the

Cowbirds require a moderate-sized aviary to render them happy.


The soft food which I supply to all my insectivorous birds

and which I have found more successful than any other in

keeping them in health for many years, consists of two parts

crumb of stale household bread, one part chicken-meal ground

in a coffee-mill, one part Trowel’s “Improved Cekto ” and one

part hard-boiled egg passed through a metal potato masher : I

mix the whole together in a bason and damp with water to a

crumbly consistency. All my Starlings receive a handful of this

mixture daily, together with a quarter of an orange or pear, about

an inch of banana and two or three grapes when obtainable;

strawberries or currants may also be given when they are in

season, and any insects, their larvae or pupae, as well as spiders,

which may come to hand.


Although, as I have said, it is possible to keep the moie



