1522 THE PERCHING BIRDS 



our colored illustration. All the African glossy starlings are neatly-built birds r 



with the beak strong, of moderate length, compressed, swollen at the base, and 



notched; the nostrils being situated about the middle. The wings are 



"el" r SSy l ar & e > t* 16 f eet l n g an d strong, and the tail of variable length; while 

 o iciriixig^s 



the plumage is remarkable for its brilliant gloss, being generally 

 adorned with shades of bluish green, violet, purple or copper color. Such species 

 as have long graduated tails may be included in Lamprotornis , while those in which 

 the tail is short, and squared are classed as Lamprocolius. The glossy starlings are 

 gregarious birds, ranging all over Africa, and feeding on vegetable as well as ani- 

 mal substances. Uttering harsh clamorous notes, they are rapid in their flight and 

 lively in their movements; and while generally dwelling high up in the branches of 

 the forest trees, they descend at times to pick up insects and other food on the 

 ground. From the retiring habits of most of the species, they are but seldom seen. 

 They either build in holes of trees, or make large cup-shaped nests, in which are 

 deposited five or six spotted eggs. 



This species (L. census), which is the one represented in the upper 

 j ss figure of our colored plate, is a denizen of West Africa, although alsa 

 Starling ran g in g i nto the southern, eastern, and central districts of that conti- 

 nent. Measuring about twenty inches in total length, of which two- 

 thirds are occupied by the long graduated tail, this bird has the head, chin, and 

 upper part of the throat black, with a golden lustre; the upper parts and wings be- 

 ing dark metallic .green, and the upper wing coverts ornamented with small black 

 spots; the middle of the throat, as well as the upper tail coverts, tail, and under 

 parts being dark purple violet, marked with darker cross bands; while the middle 

 of the breast is copper red. The upper wing coverts have black spots. The iris of 

 the eye is yellow; and the beak and feet are black. Feeding largely upon insects, 

 these birds are more terrestrial in their habits than many others of the group. 



The superb glossy starling {Lamprocolius superbus), figured on page 

 ssy 1523, is a native of East Africa, and is easily recognized by the white 



OvftfUUK 



band across the chest; the mantle being steely green, and the upper 

 part of the head and neck black. Such is the wonderful shimmer of the plumage, 

 which is similar in both sexes, that it shows totally-different tints according to the 

 light, and indeed can scarcely be described in words. In the young only the upper 

 parts are metallic green, the under parts being dark brownish gray, devoid of lustre. 

 Although typically an inhabitant of Abyssinia, this beautiful bird ranges into 

 Senegambia. It frequents alike the thickly-wooded river valleys and the high 

 mountains, ascending in Abyssinia to an elevation of some ten thousand feet; and 

 while generally going about in pairs, in the breeding season congregates in small 

 flocks. Both in flight and general habits it resembles the European starling. 



The pretty little bird (L. leucog aster] , depicted in the middle figure 

 White-Bellied ,. ,, , , . *:'***. j j-rt 



. or the plate, is our last representative of the group, and differs con- 



Starling siderably in coloration from the foregoing species. The whole of the 

 upper parts and the throat, as far as the breast, are purplish blue, 

 with a wonderful violet shimmer in certain lights; while the remainder of the under 

 parts are white, and the wings blackish brown, with a violet tinge; the whole of the 



