(PATAGONIAN MARSH-STARLING.)
+Sturnella militaris+, _Hudson, P. Z. S._ 1872, p. 548 (Rio Negro);
_Scl. et Salv. Nomencl._ p. 38; _Durnford, Ibis_, 1877, p. 33, et
1878, p. 394 (Chupat). +Sturnella loica+, _Döring, Exp. al
Rio Negro, Zool._ p. 41 (R. Colorado, R. Negro). +Trupialis
militaris+, _Scl. Cat. B._ xi. p. 356. +Trupialis loyca+, _Burm.
La-Plata Reise_, ii. p. 491 (Mendoza).
_Description._--Above brown, especially on the head and back
variegated with black; superciliaries in front of the eye red,
behind the eye white; beneath black; throat, middle of the neck,
breast, and upper belly scarlet; sides of belly and crissum with
brownish edgings to the black feathers; under wing-coverts white;
bend of the wing red; slight rictal stripe white; bill horn-colour;
feet brown: total length 10·0 inches, wing 4·7, tail 3·6. _Female_
similar.
_Hab._ Chili, Patagonia, and Falkland Islands.
Two species of _Trupialis_ inhabit the southernmost part of the
Argentine Republic, the present being confined to Patagonia and South
Chili, while its northern representative inhabits the pampas of Buenos
Ayres and Uruguay. Probably the Colorado River, which separates two
districts differing in soil and vegetation, is the boundary-line
dividing their habitats. So nearly alike are these two birds in colour,
language, and habits, that they seem rather like races than species; and
they were so regarded by naturalists until recently, when the pampas
bird was raised to the rank of a distinct species, with the name of
_Trupialis defilippii_. Unfortunately the old name _militaris_ fits the
Pampas, and not the Patagonian, Starling best; but of this I shall speak
when I describe the former species.
In form and size _T. militaris_ resembles the Common Starling of Europe,
but differs from it in habits, flight, language, and in colouring; its
upper plumage being fuscous mottled with yellowish grey, the throat
and bosom scarlet inclining to crimson. This hue varies greatly, the
breast-feathers being often tipped with white, which subdues the intense
red, and gives it a rosy tint in some individuals. The female is
paler-plumaged than the male, and has less red on the breast.
It inhabits the whole of Patagonia to the Strait of Magellan, but is
confined to the valleys or to the neighbourhood of water; and Durnford
remarks that it is a useful bird to the traveller in that thirsty
country, as its presence is a sure indication of water. It is resident,
and is seen in small parties of four or five, or in small flocks seldom
exceeding twenty or thirty in number. It feeds and lives on the ground,
and only occasionally is it seen to perch on a low bush. Its flight is
strong, and it flies about a great deal, and usually utters its song
when on the wing. The song is continued all the year, and is heard
even on the coldest days in winter; the notes are few and not highly
melodious, but are cheerful and vigorous.
The nest is made of dry grass and rootlets attached to the rushes in
moist ground, and placed close to or resting on the surface. The eggs
are five, the ground-colour white spotted or blotched with reddish
brown.