THE STARLINGS (_Sturnidæ_) must be ranked among the smaller birds
belonging to this order, and are eminently distinguished for their
high endowments. Their body is elongated, the wings of moderate size,
the tail seldom of any great length, usually short and straight, the
tarsus of medium height, the beak long, conical, and weak. The plumage
is composed of small harsh feathers, much variegated in their hues, and
frequently presenting a brilliant gloss. With the exception of Australia,
the members of this family are distributed over the entire world; each
continent and country possessing its peculiar species: America, more
especially, is particularly rich in different races of Starlings.
* * * * *
The YELLOW STARLINGS (_Icteri_) are birds varying in size from that of
a Crow to that of a Finch. Their bodies are elongated, but powerfully
built, the beak conical, the wings and tail of moderate length, the
tarsi strong, and the plumage soft and brilliant, black, gold, or red
preponderating in its coloration; the beak is rounded and thick towards
its base, and without any notch or hook at the apex, its upper portion
being prolonged like a shield among the feathers of the forehead. The
fourth quill of the wings is longer than the rest; the tail, which
is half covered by the wings when the bird is at rest, is rounded or
graduated towards its extremity; the tarsi are longer than the middle
toes, and covered in front with scaly plates; the toes are of moderate
length, armed with strong, bent, and pointed nails. In some species the
feathers on the top of the head take the form of a tuft, and in others
the cheeks are left bare. All the members of this group are social,
cheerful, and active; some of them are rich in song. Their favourite
haunts are in the woods, where they subsist principally upon insects,
snails, fruit, or seeds. Their nests are built with care, and display
considerable artistic skill.
[Illustration: THE BOBLINK (_Dolichonyx oryzivorus_).]
The TROOPIALS (_Agelaii_) include the smallest members of the
last-mentioned group. In these birds the roof of the beak is quite
straight, and its margins bent at an angle towards the gape; the hinder
toe is furnished with a spur-like claw. The plumage of the young differs
considerably from that of the parent birds, and is very various in its
colours and markings.