PLATE CXLV. 



The common Starling is from eight inches and a half to nine inches 

 in length ; the male rather larger than the female, and brighter in the 

 colours of the plumage ; the prevailing colour is blackilh, in fome 

 parts brov/n, very fplendidly glofled with purple, green, and gold, 

 and fpotted nearly throughout with milky white. 



The Starling is a native of Europe, Afia, and Africa, and is feen in 

 Britain in large flocks during the winter feafon. They build in the 

 hollows of decayed trees, rocks, and ruined edifices, forming a neft 

 of very flight contexture, confifting of leaves and twigs : their eggs 

 are from five to fix in number, and of a greenifh-afh colour. In a 

 wild ftate, they feed on infe61s, and various kinds of grain : they are 

 of a docile difpofition, and eafily taught to fpeak. During the winter 

 feafon, they are not unfrequently killed in vaft numbers, and expofed 

 for fale in the markets, notwithllanding that the flefli is bitter, and 

 ill flavoured^ 



FtATE 



