STURNTNvE. 
These birds inhabit most parts of the globe, performing regular migrations in vast flocks, which occasions them to 
appear m different localities at stated periods. They mostly frequent swampy places, and are often seen in company 
with other birds. Their flight is rapid and even. The typical species has a singular habit of performing, before retiring 
to roost on the reeds or trees, manoeuvres in the air, as if the flock were describing rapid revolutions round a common 
centre, but while on the ground they walk with the greatest ease. Their food chiefly consists of worms and insects. 
They also feed on grain and seeds, which are usually obtained by searching the ground. Their notes consist of a 
shrill whistle, occasionally varied by a chattering noise ; they often imitate the cries of other birds and animals. It is 
in the holes of trees or in old buildings that these birds form their nests of dry grass or hay. The female lays from four 
to five eggs. J 
1. S. vulgaris Linn. PI. enl. 75. — Slur mis varius Meyer, Gould, 
B. of Eur. pi. 210.; S. indicus Hodgs. 
2. S. unicolor Marm. PI. col. 111., Gal. des Oia. t. 91., Gould, 
B. of Eur. pi. 21 1 . 
3. S. • ? _ Voy. Pole Sud, Ois. t. 16. f. 2. 
4. S. cinerascens Temm. PI. col. 556. 
5. ? S. olivaceus Osb Sturnus fuscus Gmel. 
6 . ? S. viridis Osb. 
Sturnella Vieill.* 
Bill long and straight, with the culmen sloping, and the sides compressed to the tip, which is 
depressed and obtuse ; the lateral margins nearly straight, and the gonys long and ascending ; the nostrils 
lateral, and placed in a small groove, with the opening partly covered by a membrane. Wings moderate • 
with the first quill rather shorter than the second, third, and fourth, which are equal and longest Tail 
rather short, and rounded, with the ends of the feathers narrowed. Tarsi as long as the middle toe 
strong, and covered in front with broad scutellations. Toes long; with the inner toe longer than the 
outer, which is slightly united at the base ; the hind toe long • the claws long, curved, and very acute. 
The species of this genus are found in America, frequenting the pasture fields and meadows, or open plains where 
they examine the ground for their food, which consists of particular kinds of seeds, insects, and iheir U; Z rn the 
winter season they are seen m the nee plantations, and sometimes in the farmyards and in out-buildings They 
alight on the trees to roost ; whence they send forth a long, clear, and somewhat melancholy though sweet note T 
Th“aT-' f r* by “, kiral f l0 r H Ch ““ Cring ’ " 4 plaintive Strain ? ^ beta 
, ” 18 1 " bonous »" d steady, ending end renewing the rapid aetion of the wings alternately. The nest is built 
ns. rt: f graB; * is — ° f ** — — - - - - 
1. S. ludovicianus (Linn.) PI. enl. 256. — Sturnella collaris 
Vieill. ; Cacicus alaudarius Band. ; Alauda magna IJnn. Catesb. 
Carol, pi 33., Wils. Amer. Orn. pi. 19 . f. 2 ., Audub. B. of Amer 
pi. 13 6 . 
2. S. militaris (Linn.) PI. enl. 113. 
3. S. I.oyca (Molin.). 
4. S. neglecta Audub. B. of Amer. 2 d edit. pi. 48 9 . 
5. S. hippocrepis Wagl. Isis. — Sturnella collaris Vigors. 
Cueadion Vieill. 
m 1 °°f r lh “" tlH! heaJ ’ aml ratller wit| t the oulmen flattened and sloping, and the sides 
compressed to the tip, winch is depressed and ohtuse j the lateral margins straight, and angnlated near 
* Established by Vieiilot in 1816 {Analyse, &c. p. 34.). 
