192 



British Cage Birds. 



have obtained their adult plumage, and there is little diflBculty 

 in distinguishing them, the males being so much handsomer, 

 and more brilliant in the colours of their feathers and mark- 

 ings. In adult birds, the bill of the female, in summer time, 

 is dusky brown, whilst that of the male bird is yellow. The 

 general colours of the hen are altogether paler, and less 

 brilliant in sheen than those of the male, the head, neck, 

 back, &c., being tinctured with brown, and the spots on the 

 head, neck, and breast larger, and not so vivid. The hen, 

 too, as a rule, is more profusely spotted than the cock, and 

 has an effeminate appearance in her general contour. 



Song. — The natural song of the Starling consists of a few 

 notes uttered in a peculiar chattering sort of way, with an 

 occasional loud note ; it is rather harsh and unmusical, but 

 by no means unpleasant as a whole. These birds, when well 

 tutored, can be taught to whistle a tune perfectly, and in a 

 loud, clear, and musical manner, far surpassing the Bullfinch, 

 or even the Blackbird. 



Points to be Obseeved in Judging. — For exhibition pur- 

 poses, choose a two or three-year-old male — one rich, deep, 

 and bright in his ground colour, with vivid markings. He 

 should be smooth and close in feather (tight-fitting to the 

 body), with well-braced wings and tail, a graceful carriage (the 

 body held erect when standing), and with a bold, fearless, 

 nonchalant aspect. A shy, timid bird, is not suitable for the 

 show bench. The toes and claws must be well formed, and 

 not crooked or twisted. All birds should be shown in good 

 condition, and scrupulously clean. The Starling is one of the 

 handsomest of British birds, and a choice specimen, shown 

 in a class where several varieties of birds compete, ought to 

 be difficult to displace for first honours. A newly-caught 

 bird is almost invariably more brilliant in the colour and 

 shading of its plumage than a house-moulted specimen ; but, 

 unless a bird has been caged for several weeks, and has 

 become thoroughly accustomed to association with human 

 beings, the advantage gained in this respect would be lost, 

 for no man can properly judge a bird that is wild and 

 unsteady in its cage ; and as judges are limited to time in 

 the performance of their duties, they cannot be expected 

 to spend an undue share of it in examining any particular 

 specimen that has not been domesticated. A house-moulted 



