209 



compass of ils note; it imitates very well the 

 song of other birds, aiul when in a cage is easily 

 taiig-ht to speak; it feeds upon seeds, worms, and 

 flesh, and frequently pursues and kills small 

 birds, tlic brains of \vhich it eats. Notwith- 

 standing this ravenous propensity it is easily 

 tamed, and a few days are sufScient to reconcile 

 it to confinement. 



The cureu, like the starling, is a social bird, 

 and is daily to be seen in large flocks feeding in 

 the meadows, which, when at evening they re- 

 tire to their roosts, make the air resound with 

 their sprightly notes. They build their nests, 

 with much skill, of small iw\s:s interwoven with 

 rushes, and cemented with clav, which they 

 bring in their bills and claws. When the nest 

 is formed, the female smooths it upon the outside 

 w itli her tail, which serves as a trowel, and lines 

 it within with hair, upon which she lays three 

 white eggs of a blueish cast. 



The lojjca (sturnus loyca) is larger than the 

 starling, which it resembles in its bill, tongue, 

 feci, tail, and nianncr c.f fcediiig. The male ii 

 of a dark grey, spotted v, ith m bite, except the 

 throat, which is scarlet; the female is of a lighter 

 grey, avid ihn red on the throat is paler; it builds 

 its nest, in a careless manner, in any hole which it 

 finds ill the grorind, and lays but liiree grey eggs 

 marked with browii. This bird is also valned 

 for its singing, and is ea-ily tamed. In its slate 



\0L. 1. P 



