RED-WINGED 
STARLING. 
15 
only join those of their own species, but also birds of a different kind ; 
and are frequently seen in company with Red-wings (a species of 
Thrush), Fieldfares, and even with Crows, Jackdaws and Pigeons. 
Their principal food consists of worms, snails and caterpillars ; they 
likewise eat various kinds of grain, seeds and berries." He adds, that 
" in a confined state they are very docile, and may easily be taught to 
repeat short phrases, or whistle tunes with great exactness." 
The lled-winged Starling, fig. 1, is nine inches long, and fourteen 
inches in extent ; the general color is a glossy black, with the exception 
of the whole lesser wing coverts, the first or lower row of which is of a 
reddish cream color, the rest a rich and splendid scarlet ; legs and bill 
glossy brownish black ; irides hazel ; bill cylindrical above, compressed 
at the sides, straight, running considerably up the forehead, where it is 
prominent, rounding and flattish towards the tip, though sharp pointed ; 
tongue nearly as long as the bill, tapering and lacerated at the end; tail 
rounded, the two middle feathers also somewhat shorter than those imme- 
diately adjoining. 
The female, fig. 2, is seven inches and a quarter in length, and twelve 
inches in extent ; chin a pale reddish cream ; from the nostril over the 
eye, and from the lower mandible run two stripes of the same, speckled 
with black ; from the posterior angle of the eye backwards, a streak of 
brownish black covers the auriculars ; throat, and whole lower parts, 
thickly streaked with black and white, the latter inclining to cream on 
the breast ; whole plumage above black, each feather bordered with pale 
brown, white or bay, giving the bird a very mottled appearance ; lesser 
coverts the same ; bill and legs as in the male. 
The young birds at first greatly resemble the female ; but have the 
plumage more broadly skirted with brown. The red early shows itself 
on the lesser wing-coverts of the males, at first pale, inclining to orange, 
and partially disposed. The brown continues to skirt the black plumage 
for a year or two, so that it is rare to find an old male altogether desti- 
tute of some remains of it ; but the red is generally complete in breadth 
and brilliancy by the succeeding spring. The females are entirely 
destitute of that ornament. 
The flesh of these birds is but little esteemed, being in general black, 
dry and tough. Strings of them are, however, frequently seen exposed 
for sale in our markets. 
