MILITARY STARLING 129 



and the upper parts are darker. Its nesting habits 

 are also like those of the southern bird ; the number 

 and colour of the eggs 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. It 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 front of them : 

 the long front, the precision of their movements, 

 and 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 re- 

 luctantly ; when approached they usually crouch 

 down, hiding their crimson bosoms, and remain 

 motionless in order to escape observation. In dis- 

 position they are peaceful, and so fond of society 



