228 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Family STURNIDiE. — The Starlings. 



CiiAK. Genernl characters of the Jcterida:, but with a rudimentary first primary, 

 ninkiiig tlie total number ten. 



The iiitrotluctioii of tliis family into the present work is required by tlic 

 occurrence of the typical species, Sticrmis vulgaris, in Greenland, although 

 it (itlicrwise characterizes the Old World exclusively. There are several 

 sul)faniilies, principally African and East Indian (Lamj)rotornithina', Ihi- 

 2>ha(/ina', Stimiiiur, and Graculuia), some of them of very brilliant plum- 

 aye. 



The Stiirnidce in many respects constitute a natural stage of transition 

 from the Idcridoi to the Corvidw, through the Jays. 



Genus STURNUS, Lini\.£us. 



Shirnus, Linn. Syst. Nat., I, (od. 10,) 1758, 167. (Type, S. vulgaris.) 



Gen. Cii.\r. Bill long, conical, much depressed ; the culuien, gonys, and commissure 

 nearly straight, the latter angulated at base. Wings, twice length of tail ; much pointed. 



Sturnus vulgaris. 



the primaries graduating rapidly from the second, the first being rudimentary, the secon- 

 daries much shorter. Tail nearly even ; the feathers acuminate. Tarsi short ; about equal 

 to middle toe ; lateral toes equal. Plumage coarse and stiff, each feather distinctly outlined. 



The bill of Stnrnus is very similar to that of Sturnella, although less in- 

 flected at the edges. The shorter tarsi, much longer wings, with the inner- 

 most secondaries much less than the primaries, etc., readily distinguish the 

 two families. 



