106 ICTERID^E. 



Description. Like Tr. militaris, but rather smaller, and with the under 

 wing-coverts black. 



Hub. Northern Argentina and Uruguay. 



Throughout the country where this species abounds it is called Pecho 

 Colorado, which is certainly better than Azara's barbarous, if picturesque, 

 name of Degollado ; but no happier name than militaris could have been 

 invented for it, by which it was formerly known to naturalists ; and 

 though it was given to the bird merely on account of the red breast, 

 and was therefore equally applicable to all the red-breasted species on 

 the globe, in this case it accidentally seemed to describe a peculiar habit 

 of the bird, as well as its bright livery. 



In size, form, gait, flight, language, and colour the present bird very 

 closely resembles the Patagonian Starling ; but the crimson on the breast 

 is brighter and the upper parts are darker. Its nesting-habits are also 

 like those of the southern bird : the number and colour of the esrsrs 



' OO 



being the same in both species. One trivial difference in habit is that 

 De Filippi's Starling occasionally soars up a few yards into the air when 

 uttering its song. In inhabits the moist grassy pampas in the southern 

 part of the Buenos Ayrean province, and is there abundant and unites 

 in large flocks. At the approach of the cold season there is a general 

 movement northwards of the birds, which does not, however, extend 

 far, as the birds, although strong fliers, travel slowly and in a peculiar 

 manner ; it is in this season, when the birds are seen moving in large 

 flocks, that the name of Military Starling strikes one as being peculiarly 

 appropriate. They do not journey through the air like other migrants, 

 but move over the ground, when the flock, composed of four or five 

 hundred to a thousand or more individuals, is extended so as to present 

 a very long front, and at intervals the hindmost birds fly over the 

 others and alight just in advance of them : the long front, the precision 

 of their movements, arid their scarlet bosoms all turned one way, suggest 

 the idea of a disciplined army on its march. 



They never perch on trees, but frequently alight on the roof of a 

 rancho or other elevation affording a secure footing. They are tame 

 birds and fly reluctantly ; when approached, they usually crouch down, 

 hiding their crimson bosoms, and remain motionless in order to escape 

 observation. In disposition they are peaceful, and so fond of society 

 that when one becomes separated from his fellows he will unite with 

 birds of another kind, even with Plovers or Tyrant-birds. 



On the great monotonous plains, where most of the small birds are 

 grey- or brown-plumaged, and in winter when there are no flowers to 

 satisfy the desire of the eye for bright colour, it is delightful, while 

 travelling, to meet with an army of these Starlings : their crimson 



