THE STARLING. 



EDAVARD HOWE FORBUSH, STATE ORNITHOLOGIST. 



The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was introduced 

 into New York City in 1890, and now (1915) is distributed 

 locally over most of Massachusetts. It is a native of western 

 central Europe, winters south to Africa and is accidental in 

 Greenland. It may be described briefly .as follows: length, 8| 

 inches; adult male: black with purple and green reflections, the 

 feathers of the upper parts and breast more or less tipped with 

 pale buff, which gives the bird a spotted appearance when in 

 hand, but at a little distance the spots are invisible; under 

 tail-coverts edged with white; beak yellow; feet flesh-colored, 

 tinged with brown; female: spotted below as well as above; 

 young : uniform ash brown, faintly streaked with darker. 



The starling may be recognized at a distance by its general 

 appearance and manner of flight. It is about the size of the 

 red-winged blackbird, but has a very short tail. It is dark or 

 dusky in color, and during the breeding season its bill is bright 

 yellow. Those who see it for the first time usually describe it 

 as a blackbird with a yellow bill. In flight it flutters like a 

 meadow lark, but seldom sails as much as does the lark. 



The Starling in Eueope. 



In order to get some idea of what we may expect of the 

 starling in this country we must first glance at its history in 

 Europe. There it is one of the most abundant birds. In some 

 sections it has been more numerous in the past than it is now, 

 but on the other hand it is increasing in numbers now in many 

 regions. Most of the starlings in northern European countries 

 pass the winter in southern Europe, but reappear in the north 

 very early in the spring, sometimes before the snow is gone; and 

 in much of the northern part of its range a few individuals are 



