10 



BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Starling, 



THE Starling (Sturnus vulgaris, Linnaeus) is a resident and 

 widely distributed species throughout the British Islands. 

 It also occurs in summer throughout the whole of Europe, 

 but it is only seen during winter in the countries of the 

 Mediterranean, and ranges eastward as far as Egypt and 

 Persia. The adult male in summer has the whole plumage 

 black, with green, purple, and blue reflections; greater 

 portion of feathers of upper parts, tipped with cream 

 colour; wings and tail-feathers, blackish, margined with 

 buffish; bill, yellow; legs and feet, brownish-red; irides, 

 hazel. Length, from seven to eight inches. The adult 

 female is duller in colour but is more profusely spotted. 

 The young are ashy-brown, with pale reddish-brown margins 

 to the wings and tail-feathers. 



