CAGE BIRDS 201 



Troupials 



The family of American Orioles and Troupials (Ic- 

 TERiD^) includes a number of native North American 

 birds, such as the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles, the Bob- 

 olink, Cowbird and Redwing. The keeping of these 

 species, however, is prohibited by law, and the only exotic 

 form which is freely imported is the common Troupial 

 (Icterus icterus), of Colombia and Venezuela. It is orange 

 in general, with the head and neck, middle of the back, 

 wings and tail black. The lesser coverts are yellow, and the 

 middle coverts and edges of the secondaries are white, form- 

 ing a large patch. The sexes are similar, but the female 

 is slightly the smaller. At the first molt in captivity, 

 the orange is replaced by lemon-yellow. The Brazilian 

 Troupial (/. jamacaii) is similar to the preceding, but 

 has the wing coverts black instead of white. 



The Troupial is an ideal cage bird, becoming very tame 

 and learning to deliver its clear, whistling notes at com- 

 mand. It is not safe, however, with small bil-ds, and 

 most individuals will promptly kill anything weaker than 

 themselves. Troupials should be kept in large, roomy 

 cages of the box type, and fed on soft food, with an abun- 

 dance of ripe fruit, such as bananas, oranges and pears, 

 and occasional meal worms. 



Starlings 



The Starlings and Starling-like Mynas (Sturnid^e) are 

 practically confined to Europe, Asia and the East Indies, 

 a single species being known from Africa. There are about 

 sixty forms, of which comparatively few are common in 

 captivity in this country. No group of birds is hardier 

 in captivity than this, many individuals living for a great 

 number of years. Although not so gifted as the Hill 



