SATIN STABLINGS. 149 



As a specimen for the taxidermist's collection, the Superb Satin Starling is a dan- 

 gerous rival of the Bird of Paradise. The three varieties described above form a 

 group ; as they resemble one another in many respects, such as formation of body, 

 and shape of head and feet. 



The Green Satin Starling is the most closely allied to the European Starlings of 

 any of the African family, and one would at once recognize him by his saucy eyes 

 and playful ways as an illuminated edition of his mischief-loving English brother. 

 He may be taught all the tricks, and trained to pipe, in the same manner as the 

 European Starling. These birds are met with over a large portion of Africa, but 

 they prefer the mountainous districts. They resemble the other members of the 

 family in their mode of life, but are very quiet compared with them. They are the 

 most frequently caged of any of this class of Starlings, and lay claim to merits pos- 

 sessed by very few cage-birds. The colors are of a dazzling nature ; and although 

 of no great variety, as observed in the other three varieties, the simple change of 

 light is sufficient to make them appear to have all the gorgeous shades of the rain- 

 bow. The plumage is a rich violet over the whole of the back and throat as far as 

 the breast ; and the under parts are a lustrous bluish green or greenish blue, according 

 to the light in which the bird is seen. The male and female are colored alike. If 

 one would see the Green Satin Starling in all its dazzling splendor, the tropical 

 forests which they haunt must be visited. When in flight, instead of the violet hue, 

 the back shimmers in the sun like burnished gold ; and only when brought down 

 with the gun are the real colors discovered. The following is a description of one 

 of these beautiful birds which had been caged for some time : 



Ben had all the playfulness and ingenuity of the Starling family, and, in addi- 

 tion, exquisite plumage, smooth and glossy like satin, and flashing all the fires and 

 hues of a perfect-cut diamond. One caller would say, " What a beautiful green he 

 is ! " then a companion, interrupting, " Why, to my eyes he is a deep blue ! " Each 

 was right, for the slightest change in the points of observation made the bird seem 

 a different color. Could one clip /off a yard of rainbow, condense it, and run it 

 through a bird-shaped mould, he might produce something somewhat like Ben in 

 color ; but even this extract of rainbow would be inferior to the Starling's brilliant 

 plumes. The adage, " Gay birds have no song." will not hold true in this case; 

 as I unhappily discovered at three o'clock every morning. The bird was restless 

 and uneasy when away from me ; so each evening he would walk or hop quite 

 demurely through the hall, and wait on the hat-tree quietly until my latch-key clicked 

 in the lock ; then, strutting along in a most piquant way, he would peck my shoes, 

 fly to the extended hand, and refuse to leave me ; so strong was his attachment that 

 I felt compelled to have a little perch constructed, and each night this had to be 

 placed in my room ; at three o'clock in the morning either his notes would arouse 

 me, or else, placing the end of his very long bill between my lips, he would open his 

 beak quickly. The sensation was terrible : but the bird loved me, and whistled, 

 when I bade him, a sweet song ; so I overlooked the one bad trait that for me meant 

 misery, but to him expressed affection. 



When confined, the African Starlings should have the same care and treatment 

 as given for the English Starling. They are equally as hardy, and will live caged 

 from eight to ten years. 



