RED-WINGED STARLING. 101 



might be taught sentences like him. Their natu- 

 ral notes are few, but very musical, and their 

 common call, Conk-er-ree, the last syllable dwelt 

 upon, is very pleasing. 



FOOD. They are a hardy bird, and in a cage 

 they will eat almost anything you give them. I 

 feed them on meal and milk, bruised hemp seed, 

 and occasionally a bit of beef, cut in small pieces, 

 or scraped. Keep plenty of gravel in the bottom 

 of the cage, and give them water to wash. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SEXES. The male of 

 the first and second year has the plumage streak- 

 ed with brown, the red not being fully developed ; 

 the third year he is jet black ; shoulders a bright 

 and rich scarlet, bordered with reddish white. 

 The female has the upper parts brownish, lower 

 parts spotted, or streaked with black and white. 

 Young male like the female. Young female 

 browner. 



LOCATION. Found throughout the United 

 States. Migratory. Numbers winter in the 

 Southern States. 



