PASSEEES (finches AND BUNTINGS). 



393 



The Starling {S. vulgaris) needs no description. The young, 

 however, might escape our notice, for they are very different in 

 plumage to the adult. The young starling is uniform ashy-grey 

 without any spots, and has even been described as a distinct 

 species by older vs'riters. Starlings, especially after the breeding 

 season, unite in large flocks, which fly at early morn to their 

 feeding-grounds, and may often be seen accompanying the rooks 

 and jackdaws. The nests are formed in holes in trees, walls, 

 dovecots, chimneys, &c., in which are found five to seven pale 

 greenish-blue eggs. The whole family of young and parents 

 unite with others to form the flocks, and these break up again 

 in the spring for nesting. During their foraging expeditions 

 they feed on all manner of insect grubs, which form their chief 

 food. Ticks on sheep are greedily devoured by them. On the 

 other hand, they cause much harm in orchards, cherries being 

 particularly damaged by them, as well as other soft fruit. On 

 the whole, they do more good than harm. Amongst the insects 

 they are partial to are grasshoppers, wireworm, larvae of moths, 

 and plant-lice ; slugs and worms are also eaten. 



Finches and Buntings Fringillid^e). 



The Finches and Buntings form the family Fringillidse of 

 the Passeres, the former 

 being included in the 

 sub-family Fringillinm, the 

 latter in the sub -family 

 EmberizincB. 



The Finches are remark- 

 able for their short, thick, 

 and powerful beak, the 

 upper and lower mandi- 

 bles being about the same 

 size, so that the beak when 

 closed forms a short thick cone (fig. 195). All the Finches are 



Fro. 195. — Head of Finch. 



The Hawfin(-h (Coccothraustes vulgar 

 (Slightly enlarged.) 



