263 
Introduced: 
Chinese Starling. Japanese Starling. mynah. Acridotheres cristatellus 
L, 10-50. A very dark, nearly black bird, about the size of a Robin, with large white patch 
at base of primaries and secondaries; a standing crest at 
base of bill and over eyes; bill and legs yellowish (Figure 
253). 
Distinctions. A rather large black bird, with much 
white on wings, yellow bill rose coloured at base, and 
orange-red feet; an upstanding crest of lanceolate 
feathers at base of bill, covering nostrils. Not likely to 
be mistaken for any other species of probable occurrence 
in Canada. 
Field Marks. A black bird about the size of a 
robin with conspicuous white patches on wings, yellow 
eyes, pale yellow bill, and red-orange legs. It has a far- 
reaching, melodious whistled call, that can be heard 
above the roar of traffic in the crowded city streets. 
Distribution. Central and southern China. Supposed to have been introduced into 
the Philippine Islands. Introduced in British Columbia at Vancouver and now well 
established there. 
Figure 253 
Chinese Starling; scale, $. 
The origin of the introduction, and the exact date, are unknown. It is 
supposed that they were originally escaped cage birds. At any rate, they 
are now well established about Vancouver, and are spreading without the 
environs. What their effect will be, cannot be predicted. The introduction 
of a nearly allied Mynah, Acridotheres tristis, in the Hawaiian islands, has 
not produced the desired results. At the best, it can only increase at the ex- 
pense of some native species with which it comes into competition, and even 
if no worse effects follow, that will be enough to condemn it in the eyes of 
most of us. Outside of game birds, there do not seem to be many cases 
where the introduction of foreign species of birds has had a happy ending. 
Usually introduced species fail to obtain a footing, or succeed too well, 
and either develop bad habits, or replace native species of sentimental or 
economic value. Both the Canadian and the United States governments 
have prohibited the introduction and acclimatization of foreign species, 
and issued regulations controlling the practice ; and it is hoped that no more 
species will be introduced. No introductions may now be legally made 
without special permits from the respective governments. This may not 
prevent such an accident as seems to have established this species with us, 
but will at least prevent our knowingly importing such pests as the English 
or House Sparrow. 
FAMILY — ICTERIDAE. AMERICAN STARLINGS 
This family includes the Blackbirds, Orioles, and Meadowlarks, 
which are the American representatives of the European Starlings. 
They are closely related to the Sparrows and clear differentiation 
cannot be made between them in a popular description. Most of them 
have rather long, pointed, tapering bills (Figures 256-258) and some 
have the middle of the culmen running up in a short keel on the 
forehead. The Bobolink and the Cowbird have quite sparrow-like bills 
(Figures 254 and 255), but they are shortened Icterine rather than 
Passerine bills. These species can also be separated easily by their 
marked colour patterns. 
