BIRDS 



155 



part limited to New Guinea and the neighbouring islands, though 

 they also range into the north of Australia. The Great Paradise 

 Bird (Paradisea apodd) of the Aru Islands is depicted in fig. 106. 



3. Bower-Birds constitute a small family mainly confined to 

 Australia, though also found in New Guinea, and are chiefly in- 

 teresting because they construct and decorate so-called " bowers ", 

 which appear to be solely 



used for the purpose of 

 amusement. A well- 

 known form is the Satin 

 Bower - Bird of New 

 South Wales {Ptilono- 

 rhynchus holosericeus). 



4. Starlings (fig. 107) » 

 constitute a well-known 

 family with a wide dis- 

 tribution in the Eastern 

 hemisphere, being absent 

 only from Australia. They 

 do not, however, occur 

 in America. The beak 

 is fairly long and often 

 slightly curved, while its 

 base is free from bristles. 

 Flocks of these birds can 

 often be seen in meadows 

 hunting for insects and 



worms. Another characteristic feature is that of the ten primary 

 wing-quills; the first is less than half the length of the second. 

 The Common Starling {Sturnus vulgaris^ immortalized in 

 Sterne's Sentimental Journey, is a refreshing exception to the 

 general rule for British birds, its numbers being on the increase. 

 The black plumage, shot with green and blue, and tipped with 

 buff, is extremely handsome. There is one other British species, 

 the Rose-coloured Starling {Pastor rosetis). 



5. Orioles or Golden Thrushes are characteristic of Africa 

 and South Asia, though they are represented in Australia and 

 Europe. The beak is slender and almost straight, the legs short, 

 and the plumage brilliant. 



The Golden Oriole \Oriolus galbuld) of continental Europe 



Fig. 107.— Starlings 

 Common Starling [Sturnus vulgaris). 



