The SUPERB GLOSSY STARLING (_Notauges superbus_) may certainly be
regarded as the most magnificent member of the group. This species,
which inhabits Abyssinia and the most unfrequented portions of the
African continent, is of about the same size as that last mentioned; its
plumage is a reddish copper colour upon the top of the head, and green
upon the mantle, each feather being tipped with a brilliant silky black
spot; the front of the throat, upper part of the breast, and tail are
blue, with a steel-like gloss. The rest of the body is red, with the
exception of a white band upon the breast.
These birds are met with in considerable numbers throughout the whole of
Soudan; they may usually be seen flying about in large flocks, sometimes,
but rarely, in pairs. Heuglin tells us that though they prefer to reside
upon low-lying plains, they are occasionally met with at an altitude
of 4,000 feet above the sea, but we ourselves have never seen them at
so great an elevation. During the day multitudes of these gorgeous
creatures may be observed disporting themselves with great vivacity,
running in small parties over the ground in search of food, or seeking
repose and shelter from the mid-day sun amongst the branches of the
trees, on which they also perch morning and evening, whilst the males
pour forth their matin or vesper song; should the party be alarmed, they
do not seek safety in flight, but hide amongst the foliage until they
can again venture from their concealment. During the whole time they
are in search of food the neighbourhood is kept in a constant state of
uproar: one screams to another almost without intermission, several
frequently joining in with their voices, apparently for the sole purpose
of rendering confusion worse confounded. As may be imagined, it is no
difficult matter to trace a flock of these birds, but their capture by
means of the gun is attended with much difficulty, as they are extremely
shy, and resort to shelter at the first alarm of danger.
* * * * *
The members of the second division of this group are recognisable by
their delicate, arched, and compressed beaks, short wings, tails of
moderate length, weak long-toed feet, and scale-like plumage, from which
they have derived their name of SCALY GLOSSY STARLINGS (_Pholidauges_).
We are only acquainted with one species--