( 3^ ) 



The Red'Wing'd Starling. Sturnus Niger alis fuperne 



rubentibus. 



Numb. XXXVIII. 



ITS Length from the tip of the Bill to the end of the Tail is nine 

 Inches and a half, Breadth, when the Wings are expanded, fourteen 

 Inches, Weight three Ounces and four Drams. It very much refembles 

 the Starling in Shape and Size. The whole Bird is black, except the 

 upper part of the Wings, which is a bright Scarlet, under that a fulvous 

 yellow ; the Bill is of a dark a£h Colour, from the Point to the Angles 

 of the Mouth an Inch long, very thick at the Head^ and ending in a 

 fharp Point. The Pupil of the Fye is black, the Indes white ; the Bill 

 under the Noftrils hath a Line of Crimfon which parts it from the black 

 Feathers on the Head. The Legs, Feet and Claws are black. This 

 Bird was fhot near London. I found in its Gizzard Grubs, Beetles and 

 Imall Maggots. I believe it was a Cage-Bird, which had got loofe. 



It is a Native of Carol'ma and V'trgmta^ in which Countries they are 

 very numerous. Mr. Catesby makes mention of its flying in Companies 

 with the Purple-Daws^ and deftroying the Corn wherever they come^ 

 being the moft deftrudive Birds in thofe Countries. 



He lays it makes its Neft over the Water amongft Reeds and Sedges, 

 the tops of which they interweave fo artfully, making an Arch or Co- 

 vering, under which they hang their Neft, (after the manner of the Reed- 

 Spstrrow) and fo fecure from wet, that where the Tide flows it is obferved 

 never to reach them. It is a very adlive and familiar Bird, and when kept 

 in a Cage will learn to imitate human Speech. The Spaniards call them 

 ^omms.ndadores* See WtlLOrn. p. 391- 





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