CHAPTER XV. 



THE STARLING FAMILY 



(Sturnidce). 



The Glossy Starlings Mynahs The Rose-coloured 

 Pastor. 



HIS is a well-defined family, or " natural 

 order," and comprises some very notice- 

 able birds, foremost among which are THE 

 GLOSSY STARLINGS, Genus Lamprocolius, 

 namely, THE GREEN GLOSSY STARLING, L. chalybeus ; 

 THE PURPLE-HEADED GLOSSY STARLING, L. auratus ; 

 THE RUFOUS-VENTED GLOSSY STARLING, L. rufi- 

 -ventris ; and THE LONG-TAILED GLOSSY STARLING, 

 Lamprotornis azneus, all magnificent creatures, glisten- 

 ing in the sunshine with metallic hues of green, bronze, 

 gold, and purple. Many of them have bred in confine- 

 ment, and all require the same treatment as our English 

 Starling : namely, meat, insects, egg, fruit, and custard, 

 though many other things may be added to eke out 

 the above. 



THE MYNAHS, Genus Gracula, are included in this 

 family, and some of them make splendid talkers and 

 mimics ; their general colour is black, with yellow 



