The Starling. 



191 



Starlings are birds of much appetite, and a large flock of 

 them will consume an almost incredible quantity of edibles in 

 a short space of time. In confinement, they will eat almost 

 anything that other soft-billed birds will partake of. They 

 should be fed in all respects the same as Blackbirds, but, to 

 keep them in health, a few mealworms, spiders, and ants' eggs 

 are very desirable. Some old birds, when first caught, sulk, 

 and refuse whatever food is offered them, and will positively 

 die of starvation if not liberated ; many old birds will refuse 

 to eat for the first twenty-four hours, and then take to 

 eating ravenously. A few ants' eggs, mealworms, or cater- 

 pillars, will usually tempt them to partake of food ; if not, 

 nothing else will. This is the best food to give newly- 

 caught birds until they become domesticated. The Starling 

 can be kept in an aviary, but a cage, the same as that used 

 for a Thrush or Blackbird, is preferable. 



Bearing the Young. — Young birds intended to be hand- 

 reared, should be taken from the nest at the age of nine or 

 ten days, or even younger — say eight days ; if taken at a 

 later period, they will probably have learnt some of the dis- 

 cordant notes of the parent, and, consequently, would be 

 more difficult to teach to whistle an artificial tune. Place 

 them in a basket having a lid, or in a properly constructed 

 box, which is much better, with some straw or hay cut into 

 short lengths, or a piece of moss litter, and feed and 

 treat them in all respects the same as young Blackbirds. 

 Feed every two hours at least, but do not cram them, 

 excepting at the final meal, at the end of the day ; and even 

 then it must not be overdone. Many young birds are killed 

 by overfeeding. Keep them perfectly warm and quiet. As 

 soon as they can feed themselves, remove them to a cage, 

 but be sure to put in it a piece of moss litter, and some 

 fine gravel and sand, until they are able to perch ; then the 

 moss litter may be discontinued. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — Young males, 

 before the moult, may be easily distinguished from females 

 by opening their mouths, and examining the under side of 

 the tongue. In the males will be found a streak of black, 

 which can be plainly seen ; the hens are destitute of this 

 peculiarity, or have it so faintly indicated as to be barely 

 observable. It disappears after the first moult; but then they 



