144 PASSERES. STURNID^. 



GENUS STURNUS. (LiNN.) 



The beak in the Starlings proper is almost 

 straight, pointed, depressed from the base, rather 

 wider than high ; the ridge convex and rounded, 

 the point almost imperceptibly notched. The 

 nostrils are basal, and lateral, partially closed by 

 a prominent membrane. The wings are length- 

 ened and pointed ; the first feather so short as to 

 be rudimentary, the second the longest ; the tail 

 short, somewhat forked. The feet are of mo- 

 derate size, formed for walking ; the lateral toes 

 equal in length, and united to the middle one as 

 far as the first joint. 



We have but one British representative of this 

 genus, the common Starling, or Stare (Sturnw 

 vulgaris, LINN.), but this is abundant in most 

 parts of the kingdom. It is a beautiful bird, 

 both in its form, and in the colours of its plumage, 

 which, combining with its sprightly manners, its 

 intelligence, docility, memory, and power of imi- 

 tating various sounds, have made it a general fa- 

 vourite. ] The general hue of the plumage is al- 

 most black, glossed with brilliant purple and green 

 reflections in the changing lights ; > the feathers 

 are tipped with triangular points of yellowish- 

 white, which gives an agreeable character of star- 

 like dotting to the whole ; in the course of the 

 winter, many of these points fall off, particularly 

 on the under parts, when the plumage is more 

 uniform in hue. The beak is brilliant yellow. 



" The Starling," observes Bechstein, " becomes 

 wonderfully familiar in the house ; as docile and 

 cunning as a'dog, he is always gay, wakeful, ^soon 



