STARLING, a field-bird of the family Sturnidee, known by the compressed sharp bill, the long and pointed wings and the short tail. The tarsi are stout and covered in front with broad scales. The toes are also elongated and strong, the hinder toe being largely developed. The common starling (Sturtius milgaris) is a well-known European bird, commonly seen in large flocks, particularly in marshy districts. The general color is dark green, tinted with purple hues, and with metallic lustres. The shoulders are brown, or buff, the wing-coverts edged with pale brown and the general plumage spotted with buff. The breast feathers are elongated and pointed; the beak is yellow. In the second year of life the characteristic colors consist of the adult colors just described, these, however, being of generally lighter hue, whilst the general surface is marked with light-colored spots. The first year's birds are brown. The females are less brilliantly colored than the males. The nest is loosely constructed, and is generally found in some ruined wall or castle, or in a hollow tree. The five eggs are pale blue. The young are tended by both parents. The food of the starling consists of insects, and these birds haunt domestic animals to get the insects that prey upon them. They often perch on the
backs of cattle in search of the insect larva that burrow in the skin; and pluck wool from sheep for the purpose of lining the nest. They also eat mollusks, worms and vegetable matters, and they have been known to strip whole shrub beries of their leaves. The common starling is found throughout Europe, Africa and most of Asia, and is migratory. Starlings are viewed with great favor in many districts, are caught to be kept in cages, and may be taught to speak, to mimic sounds with great distinctness and to whistle tunes. Their natural note is a peculiar, indrawn, clear and pleasing whistle. They have been acclimatized in the neighborhood of New York, where they were introduced in 1890; since which time they have spread over most of the Northeastern States. Various more or less similar or related birds are called starlings in India and Australia. Consult Forbush, E. H., 'The Starling' (in Massachusetts State Board of. Agriculture 58th annual report, Bos ton 1915) ; Leydekker, R., 'Standard Natural History' (London 1895) ; Newton, of Birds) (New York 18%).