228 



PASSERES. 



STURNID/E. 



STURNIDJE. 



STURNUS VULGARIS (Linnaeus *). 

 THE STARLING. 



Sturnus vulgaris. 



STURNUS, Linnce.us-\-. Bill as long as the head, almost straight, blunt at the 

 tip, depressed so as to be wider than high ; edges of the upper mandible extend- 

 ing over those of the lower and both quite smooth. Nostrils basal, supernal and 

 partly overlaid by an operculum. Gape angular and free from bristles. Feathers 

 of the head and anterior part of the body pointed and elongated. Wings long, 

 pointed, with ten primaries ; the first very short, the second or third the longest. 

 Tail short, rectrices diverging at the tip. Tarsus^scutellate in front, covered at 

 the side by an undivided plate, forming a sharp ridge behind. Claws short 

 and moderately curved. 



* Sj'Bt. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 290 (1766). f Loc. cit. 



