MILITARY STARLING 129 
and the upper parts are darker. Its nesting habits 
are also like those of the southern bird ; the number 
and colour of the eggs being the same in both species. 
One trivial difference in habit is that De Filippi’s 
Starling occasionally soars up a few yards into the 
air when uttering its song. It inhabits the moist 
grassy pampas in the southern part of the Buenos 
Ayrean province, and is there abundant and unites 
in large flocks. At the approach of the cold season 
there is a general movement northwards of the birds, 
which does not, however, extend far, as the birds, 
although strong fliers, travel slowly and in a peculiar 
manner ; it is in this season when the birds are seen 
moving in large flocks, that the name of Military 
Starling strikes one as being peculiarly appropriate. 
They do not journey through the air like other 
migrants, but move over the ground, when the flock, 
composed of four or five hundred to a thousand or 
more individuals, is extended so as to present a 
very long front, and at intervals the hindmost birds 
fly over the others and alight just in front of them : 
the long front, the precision of their movements, 
and their scarlet bosoms all turned one way, suggest 
the idea of a disciplined army on its march. 
They never perch on trees, but frequently alight 
on the roof of a rancho or other elevation affording 
a secure footing. They are tame birds and fly re- 
luctantly ; when approached they usually crouch 
down, hiding their crimson bosoms, and remain 
motionless in order to escape observation. In dis- 
position they are peaceful, and so fond of society 
1 I 
