260 STURNIDJE. 



bending for the whole length, and without any 

 trace of a notch ; the plumes covering the nos- 

 trils are close and stiff, and appear as if rounded off 

 with scissors on the bill. Legs and feet are of the 

 same brilliant tint with the bill, and are strongly 

 formed ; the claws brownish black, crooked and 

 strong ; the development of the wings and tail 

 large and powerful, the flight consequently light 

 and buoyant ; length, about fifteen inches. The 

 bill and legs of the young do not shew for some 

 time the brilliant red colour, 



We have reached the second family of the 

 Conirostres, the Sturnidse or Starlings, but two 

 species only holding a place in the British list, 

 we shall be able to enter but slightly into the 

 forms of the various genera which compose it. 

 The birds at present included in it are almost all 

 above the middle size; they are chiefly grega- 

 rious groups, and many of them feed much on the 

 ground. The colours of the plumage are rich 

 and varied, generally, however, dark, and running 

 through all the beautiful gradations of black, blue, 

 and green. When relieved by other tints, it is 

 by broad masses of crimson and yellow, in a few 

 instances of white. The first member we have 

 to notice is the Common Starling, according to 

 Swainson forming the Conirostral as well as typical 

 form of the family, and exemplified in the genus. 



STURNUS, Linn Generic characters. Bill 



depressed from the base ; culmen rounded, 



