COMMON STARLING. 
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and entering the feathers of the forehead ; 
wings rather lengthened, first quill very short, 
second longest, the others graduating ; tail 
short, inclining to be forked, tips of the 
feathers divaricating ; feet strong, terrestrial. 
Type St. vulgaris. 
Europe, Asia. 
The Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, 
Linn. — Stare or Starling of British authors. — 
This beautiful bird is an abundant inhabitant of 
many parts of Britain, but is not equally distri- 
buted, though it extends from the most southern 
parts to the Hebrides. The rocky sea coast, old 
castles, and ruined buildings, and the wood in 
parks or in cultivated districts where it is aged, 
and abounds in hollow and decayed trees, are 
their favourite breeding places, and there many 
pairs nestle together, according to the conveni- 
ences of the station. At other seasons the lowest 
lying districts seem to be their favourite resorts, 
