The BRONZE-COLOURED GLOSSY STARLING (_Lamprocolius chalybeus_), an
inhabitant of North-Eastern Africa, possesses an attire of such
extraordinary lustre, that words are almost inadequate to express the
appearance it presents when glittering in the rays of a tropical sun.
The plumage is bronze-like in tint, except upon the sides of the head,
the lower part of the belly, and wings, these parts being blue, as are
the tips of the feathers upon the shoulders; the dresses of the male
and female are alike, but the young are of a metallic green upon the
back, and underneath of a deep brownish grey, almost entirely devoid
of brilliancy. This species is about ten and a quarter inches long and
seventeen and a half in breadth; the wing measures five and a half, and
the tail three and three-quarter inches. The Bronzed Glossy Starlings are
to be met with in great numbers in their native land, more especially
in the forests, which they seem to prefer to the less densely wooded
districts; they also occasionally frequent the more open country, living
for the most part in pairs, and only congregating in small flocks after
the termination of the breeding season. They are brisk and lively,
endowed with all a Starling's alacrity, both upon the ground and in
the trees; their flight alone is peculiar, being distinguished by a
noiselessness that plainly indicates the velvety softness of their
wings. Little can be said as to their other endowments--their song is
extremely insignificant, and their call-note a most unpleasing sound.
To say the truth, if these birds were not so splendidly decorated they
would have little to recommend them to our notice, nature seems to have
been so lavish in this one particular as to have deemed any other charm
unnecessary. Those who have seen the Bronze Starling in its native
woods describe it as flashing upon their astonished sight like a bright
and unexpected gleam of sunshine, its feathers during life reflecting
every ray of light as does a looking-glass; but they lose this intense
brilliancy very shortly after death. This beautiful creature has, we
believe, as yet never been brought to Europe.