STARLING 195 



STARLINGS : FAMILY STtTRNIDiE 



Stabling. Sturnus vulgaris 

 8.50 



Ad. $ in summer. — Entire body black, with green and purple 

 reflections ; each feather of the back tipped with grayish-yellow ; 

 bill yellow. Ad. 9 . — Plumage less brilliant ; buffy spots larger, 

 especially below. Ad. in winter. — Spotting much more conspicu- 

 ous ; light brown on upper parts, and whitish on under parts ; 

 bill blackish. Im. — Grayish-brown. 



Nest, in hollow trees, or in crevices in buildings. Eggs, pale 

 greenish-blue or bluish-white. 



The Starling has been introduced from Europe into 

 Central Park, and has not only become well established 

 there, but has spread to New Jersey, Staten Island, and 

 along Long Island Sound. It is resident throughout the 

 year. Starlings feed on the ground, where they walk after 

 the manner of our blackbirds. In late summer and autumn 

 they collect in flocks, which in Europe blacken the sky ; 

 they now resort to the reeds in low ground. The male 

 sings in early spring from the top of a tree, or on some build- 

 ing ; some of the notes are very sweet, others are harsh, 

 and many are imitations of the surrounding noises. 



CROWS, JAYS, ETC. : FAMILY CORVIDiE 



Fish Ckow. Corvus ossifragus 

 16.00 



Ad. — Entire bird black, with blue or purplish reflections at 

 close range. 



Nest, of sticks, in trees, generally in evergreens. Eggs, like 

 those of the common Crow. 



The Fish Crow is a common permanent resident of the 

 lower Hudson Valley, and occurs regularly but not com- 



