TWO BIRDS THAT CAME BACK 111 
“T think I have a description of the bird, as well as the 
date of his coming, in the scrap-book,” said Gray Lady, 
“for he is an English bird and the only one of its family 
in this country, so you can see why they may be lonely, 
and like to flock in company with the Blackbirds. 
THE ComMON STARLING: Sturnus magnus. 
Length: 8.5 inches. 
Male and Female: Black plumage shot with metallic green and 
blue lights. In full plumage upper feathers edged with 
buff, giving a speckled appearance, which disappears as 
the feathers are worn down, leaving the winter plumage 
plain and dull. Yellow bill in summer; in winter, brown. 
Note: A sharp flock-call and a clear, rather musical, two-syllable, 
falling whistle. 
Nest: Behind blinds in unoccupied buildings, in vine-covered 
nooks in church towers; also in bushes. 
Eggs: 4-7, greenish blue. 
This bird is a foreigner, imported to New York City some four- 
teen years ago, some people are beginning to fear not too wisely, 
for the birds are rather quarrelsome, and, being larger than 
the English Sparrow, though not so hardy, are able to wage war 
upon birds like Robins, and seize the nesting-places of natives. 
The first birds, less than a hundred in number, were set free 
in Central Park, New York City. Now these have increased to 
numerous flocks that in Connecticut have gone as far east as 
New Haven, and here in Fairfield and several villages near by 
are acclimated and quite at home, though the bitter and lasting 
cold of the winter of 1903-1904 thinned them out considerably. 
Whether they prove a nuisance or not, they are very noticeable 
birds, looking to the first sight, as they walk sedately across a 
field, like Grackles with rumpled plumage. A second glance will 
show that this is but the effect of the buff specks that tip all the 
upper feathers, while the distinct yellow bill at once spells 
Starling! 
