RAVENS. 



233 



they -will occasionally eat carrion, and, like the Ox-biter, they often render good service to the cattle 

 by clearing them from various parasites. Their movements are light and active, in all respects resem- 

 bling those of other Starlings, and their disposition exceedingly sagacious and intelligent. Some species 

 have very discordant voices, while others are not without some slight pretensions to song, inasmuch as 

 their call-note is agreeable, and often composed of more than one syllable. Such trifling peculiarities 

 as distinguish the various members of the group are most strikingly observable in the difference of 

 their habits during the breeding season : some species separating from the rest of the flock while 

 busied with the cares of a family ; others, on the contrary, remaining with their companions even at 

 that period of the year. The formation of their nests varies considerably, according to the situations 



THE SUPERU GLOSSY STARLING {A'otailgcs Sltfcrl'lis). 



in which they are placed— such as are built among the rocks being nothing better than a mere heap of 

 twigs or grass, whilst those placed in the trees are necessarily substantial, and more artistic in their 

 construction. The brood usually consists of five or six eggs, of a green colour, and marked with 

 either red, brown, blueish, or black spots ; some species breed twice within the year. It is at present 

 doubtful whether any of these birds ever migrate ; for the most part they seem to spend their time in 

 wandering over a limited tract of country, appearing in certain parts only for a short time, and then as 

 suddenly taking their departure. The Glossy Starlings are seldom caught by the natives of the regions 

 they frequent, and are, therefore, very rarely seen in our part of the world, though their great beaut}-, 

 and the ease with which they may be reared, eminently point them out as adapted for life in a cage. 

 We have divided this group into several divisions, the first of which contains 

 3° 



