i02 BIRDS 



Mynas (Eulabes), some members of this family make good 

 talkers. Starlings will live in cages, but as they are exceed- 

 ingly dirty under such conditions, their quarters should be as 

 roomy as possible. Most of the species cannot be trusted 

 with weaker cage-mates. Starlings are almost omnivorous 

 in feeding habits, and will thrive on soft food, fruit of 

 all sorts, insects and an occasional scrap of meat. 



The European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is, of 

 course, only too well known in this country. Introduced in 

 New York in 1890, the bird has spread amazingly, and 

 forms a serious menace to our already decreasing native 

 frugivorous and insectivorous species. Because of this fact, 

 many states which formerly protected the starling now have 

 added it to the list of renegades which are outside the pale. , 

 This change brings a modicum of comfort to the bird- 

 keeper, for the starling, villain as he is, is a most interest- 

 ing pet. His speckled plumage, glossed with violet and 

 green, must be seen at close quarters to be appreciated, and 

 his confiding tameness is engaging. Hand-reared birds 

 sometimes learn to repeat simple words. 



Of the numerous starling-like Mynas stray specimens of 

 several species are occasionally seen, but the only one which 

 is really well known is the Common Myna (Acridotheres 

 tristis), of India and Burma. It is about double the size of 

 the starling, dark brown above, with the head, neck and 

 breast black. The base of the primaries and their coverts, 

 as well as the tips of the outer tail feathers, are white. The 

 beak and a bare space behind the eye are yellow. Young 

 specimens of this species often learn to speak very well. 



Hill Mynas 



The family of Glossy Starlings (Eulabetid^) is well 

 distributed in the Old World, Asia, Africa, Australia and 



