THE STARLING. 327 



134. THE STARLING. 

 Sturmts vulgaris, LIN. Etourenau, BUF. Der Gemeine Staar, BECH. 



Description. The Starling resembles the Kedwing Thrush 

 in size and shape, being eight inches and & half in length, of 

 which the tail measures two inches and a half. The beak is one 

 inch long, awl-shaped, angular, somewhat flattish, and a little 

 blunt. It is a pale yellow, tipped with brown, and in winter 

 blackish-blue. The iris is nut-brown ; the feet one inch in 

 height, and dark flesh-colour. The whole body is blackish, 

 having a bright purple tinge half way down the back and 

 breast, with a bright green lustre on the rest of the body, and 

 on the wing-coverts. The pen and tail feathers are black, 

 speckled with grey, and, together with all the coverts, edged 

 with light rust colour. The feathers of the head and nape of 

 the neck are tipped with reddish white ; those on the back 

 with light rust colour, and on the outer part of the body with 

 white. Hence the general appearance of the bird is speckled. 



In the female the beak is rather blackish brown than yellow; 

 the light-coloured spots, especially on the head, neck, and 

 breast are larger, and the edges of the wing feathers broader, 

 which altogether give the bird a lighter and more mottled 

 appearance. Old males have hardly any white spots on the 

 forehead, cheeks, throat, and belly. 



There are several varieties of this bird: as, for instance, 

 White, Mottled, White-headed, and Grey Starlings, as well as 

 such as are white all over the body and black on the head. 



Habitat. The Starling inhabits all parts of the Old W^orld, 

 and frequents woods and thickets which are at no great dis- 

 tance from meadows and ploughed fields. In October it departs 

 southwards in large flights, and does not return till the begin- 

 ning of March. In its migration it takes shelter by night 

 among reeds and bullrushes, from which its shrill cry may 

 often be heard to proceed. 



This bird is usually allowed to range the room ; and, indeed, 

 the only reason for keeping it in a cage is that, though keeping 

 itself clean, it makes the aviary very dirty with its fluid ex- 

 crements. An appropriate cage, which may be of any desired 

 form, ought not to be less than two feet long, and one foot and 

 a half broad, as the Starling is a restless bird, and will injure 

 its plumage, if not allowed ample space for exercise. 



