STARLING EOSE-COLOURED STARLING. 51 



Family STURNID^E. 

 STABLING (Sturnus vulgaris). 



Partially resident. Generally distributed and abundant ; as 

 ubiquitous as the House Sparrow. 



Plumage. Glossy black, beautifully shot with green, purple, 

 violet, and Prussian blue reflections, more especially on the 

 head, mantle, and breast ; feathers to upper parts tipped with 

 pale buff, under tail-coverts margined with white. Bill yellow. 

 Legs ruddy brown. Length 8k in. Female, less brilliant reflec- 

 tions, and spotted below. Young, uniform greyish brown (hence 

 Brown Starling). 



Language. Song, contains certain phrases like the notes 

 of other birds. It is delivered in an energetic manner, and is 

 a conglomeration of whistling, hissing, gargling, warbling, 

 chattering, and squealing. It also makes a noise like the 

 snapping of fingers. During the performance the head feathers 

 become slightly erected, the throat distended, and the wings 

 quiver. Another cry, probably that of anger, is a harsh "cah," 

 whilst that of alarm is a shrill reedy whistle. 



Habits. In autumn and winter Starlings congregate in huge 

 flocks. Flight straight and rapid. Fond of aerial excursions, 

 especially when gregarious. On the ground it walks, or runs 

 hurriedly about with bobbing head, poking its bill most inde- 

 fatigably into every likely hole for food. It constantly perches 

 on sheep's backs to pick out parasitical ticks. Clamourous 

 when settling down to roost. 



Food. Insects and their larvae, worms, and slugs. Soft fruits 

 in summer ; berries, seeds, and grain in winter. 



Nest. April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In holes in trees, walls, &c., under slates of roofs, in 

 rain-water down-pipes and chimneys, in crevices in ruins, 

 church towers, sea cliffs, &c. 



Materials. Dry grass, straw, and other rubbishing materials, 

 lined with wool and feathers. Loosely and untidily compacted. 



Eggs. Four to six. Uniform pale greenish blue. 



KOSE-COLOUKED STABLING (Pastor roseus). 



An irregular visitor which has occurred from time to time in 

 most counties. 



Plumage. Head, crest, neck, and throat glossy purplish 

 black. Wings and tail glossy greenish black. Back and under 

 parts salmon-rose. Bill rose-coloured, black towards base. 

 Legs yellowish brown. Length 8| in. 



In habits and language it much resembles the Starling. 



