RED- WINGED STARLING. 



39 



early shews itself on the lesser wing-coverts of the males, at first 

 pale, inclining to orange, and partially disposed. The brown con- 

 tinues to skirt the black plumage for a year or two, so that it is rare 

 to find an old male altogether destitute of some remains of it ; but 

 the red is generally complete in breadth and brilliancy by the suc- 

 ceeding spring. The females are entirely destitute of that orna- 

 ment. 



The flesh of these birds is but little esteemed, being in gene- 

 ral black, dry and tough. Strings of them are however frequently 

 seen exposed for sale in our markets. 



