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Glossy Starlings .



this bird resembles the common English Starling; its song is com¬

posed of a number of harsh notes mingled with others of more

melodious nature. A specimen which I saw in Amsterdam several

years ago had a white feather on the breast.


Glossy Starlings soon become delightfully tame. In a few

days a newly-purchased specimen will take a mealworm from the

hand, or alight on one’s finger. Several which I have had became

almost a nuisance from their fearlessness, flying towards one as soon

as the door was opened, and perching about in all kinds of situations.

Often they scrambled right inside the large tin which held the meal¬

worms, and stood stuffing themselves greedily, swallowing worm

after worm in rapid succession. Earth worms were also taken,

battered repeatedly against the ground, and then swallowed. Newly-

born mice were also considered tit-bits, and disappeared in a twink¬

ling down the red lane. These birds should not he trusted with

weaker species, even of the same size. I have found them, for

example, savage and untrustworthy towards smaller doves such as

the Cape Masked Dove (JEJna capensis).


Glossy Starlings are mischievous and fond of plaguing and

bullying their companions if possible. Milder birds are seized by

the tail and ignominiously pulled about, or the feathers are gradually

pulled from their heads by the officious, teasing starling. Amongst

themselves also a weak companion leads a sorry life, being violently

pecked and otherwise maltreated. In two successive summers a

pair which I had, amused themselves by gathering together dried

grass, etc. This they conveyed into a corner, though they never

made it into a proper nest. This species is fairly hardy and mine

have all the year round access to the open air. In November they

could be heard singing lustily out of doors, though the inner cage is

kept heated during six months of the year.


The Long-tailed Glossy Starling (Lamprotornis aeneus ) has

always appeared to the writer much more delicate than the previous

species. Out of many kept by him and seen in various collections

only two or three appeared to be in perfect health : lung troubles,

going light,” &c. always appear to carry them off. At Antwerp a

little while ago I saw five of these birds exhibited in a large cage ;

their temper seems more quarrelsome and uncertain than that of



