COMMON STARLING. 



261 



and entering the feathers of the forehead ; 

 wings rather lengthened, first quill very short, 

 second longest, the others graduating; tail 

 short, inclining to be forked, tips of the 

 feathers divaricating ; feet strong, terrestrial. 



Type. St. vulgar is. 



Europe, Asia. 



THE COMMON STARLING, STURNUS VULGARIS, 



Linn Stare or Starling of British authors. 



This beautiful bird is an abundant inhabitant of 

 many parts >f Britain, but is not equally distri- 

 buted, though it extends from the most southern 

 parts to the Hebrides. The rocky sea coast, old 

 castles, and ruined buildings, and the wood in 

 parks or in cultivated districts where it is aged, 

 and abounds in hollow and decayed trees, are 

 their favourite breeding places, and there many 

 pairs nestle together, according to the conveni- 

 ences of the station. At other seasons the lowest 

 lying districts seena to be their favourite resorts, 



