THE STARLING 



FAMILY STURNID^). 



**" I A HE Starlings are an Old World family of birds linked to the Finches through 

 JL the Ictcridce or Troupials and Cow-birds of the New World ; but, on the other 

 hand, showing affinity to the Corvidce or Crow-family. They are characterized by 

 a long straight slender bill, with the nostrils placed low down, without rictal 

 bristles ; a very small bastard primary and very long second primary ; the tarsus 

 is scaled in front, but not behind. 



Starlings when on the ground progress in a purposeless, irregular fashion, 

 mostly by walking or running ; on the wing their flight is powerful, but peculiar, 

 so that, when at a great height, it has a twinkling appearance ; when at a lower 

 elevation this is explained by the fact that they rapidly flap their somewhat long 

 wings and then sail straight forwards. 



These birds are practically omnivorous, always hungry and consequently large 

 feeders ; they are therefore unsuitable for caged pets, unless considerable attention 

 can be paid to them by their owners : in themselves, however, they are cleanly, 

 being exceedingly fond of bathing. 



The songs of Starlings are either altogether, or partly, harsh in character ; in 

 which respect and in their powers of mimicry, they somewhat resemble their allies 

 the Crows. Like the latter also they soon become tame and confiding in captivity ; 

 in which respect they widely differ from the Jcteridcc which never seem to get the 

 least bit tamer after years of confinement in an aviary, and always remain nervous 

 in a cage : in one respect, however, in addition to their general outline, the true 

 Starlings resemble the so-called "Meadow-Starlings"; they are very gregarious. 



In their nidification the Sturnidcc differ both from the Ictcrida and Corvida, 

 building their nests of all kinds of rubbish, in holes or crevices of trees, banks, 

 rocks, walls, or buildings : their eggs are uniform in colouring and usually greenish- 

 blue. 



No birds are so easy to capture as Starlings, nets and traps awaken no suspicion 

 of danger in their unreflecting brains ; they see food, and rush in helter-skelter to 

 secure it ; so that a small trap will sometimes secure from three to five at one 

 fall. 



