FAM. XVI. JAYS, CROWS, MAGPIES, ETC. 151 



12. Boat-tailed Grackle (513. Qidscalus mkjor). — A very 

 large, southern, beautifully metallic, bluish-black bird, with 

 the head and breast more purplish, and the wings and tail 

 less so. The female is much smaller in size; and brown in 

 color, the lower parts being lighter. These birds are found in 

 flocks in marshy places or near the water. 



Length, ll'-17i ; wing, 5^-7^ ; tail, 5-7| ; culmen, l{-\\. The smaller 

 numbers are the dimensions of females. Regions along the Atlantic and 

 Gulf coasts from Virginia to Texas. 



FAMILY XV. STARLINGS (STURNIDiE) 



A family (200 species) of Old World birds one species of 

 which has ajjparently been successfully introduced into this 

 country. 



1. Starling (493. Sturnus vulgd,ris). — A yellow-billed, metal- 

 lic-purplish, walking bird, much spotted with buff ; the wings, 

 tail, and under tail coverts are dark brownish-gray more or less 

 edged with buff. In ivinter the bill changes to dark brown 

 and the entire under parts become heavily spotted with white. 

 The bill is long and conical ; ' the tail only about half as long as 

 the wings ; and the first primary quill less than one inch long.'' 



Length, 8\; wing, 5; tail, 2|; tarsus, 1^; culmen, 1. Europe and 

 northern Asia. Introduced and apparently establislied in the vicinity of 

 New York City. 



FAMILY XVL JAYS, CROWS, MAGPIES, ETC. (CORVID.^) 



A large family (200 species) of rather large, heavy-billed, 

 peculiarly intelligent birds, with the nostrils generally well cov- 

 ered with bristly feathers.^ They have been divided into five 

 subfamilies two of which are found alnjost everywhere. (1) The 

 Jays are large, brightly marked, and usually brightly colored, 

 saucy, noisy birds, with short, rounded wings and long, grad- 

 uated tails.' With hardly any exceptions their voices are 



