(DE FILIPPI'S MARSH-STARLING.)
+Sturnella defilippii+, _Scl. et Salv. P. Z. S._ 1869, p. 161 (Buenos
Ayres); _iid. Nomencl._ p. 38; _Döring, Exp. al Rio Negro, Zool._
p. 41 (Pampas); _Barrows, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl._ viii. p. 136
(Pampas south of Buenos Ayres). +Trupialis defilippii+, _Scl.
Cat. B._ xi. p. 357. +Trupialis militaris+, _Burm. La-Plata
Reise_, ii. p. 490 (Rosario, Paraná).
_Description._--Like _Tr. militaris_, but rather smaller, and with
the under wing-coverts black.
_Hab._ Northern Argentina and Uruguay.
Throughout the country where this species abounds it is called _Pecho
colorado_, which is certainly better than Azara's barbarous, if
picturesque, name of _Degollado_; but no happier name than _militaris_
could have been invented for it, by which it was formerly known to
naturalists; and though it was given to the bird merely on account
of the red breast, and was therefore equally applicable to all the
red-breasted species on the globe, in this case it accidentally seemed
to describe a peculiar habit of the bird, as well as its bright livery.
In size, form, gait, flight, language, and colour the present bird very
closely resembles the Patagonian Starling; but the crimson on the breast
is brighter and the upper parts are darker. Its nesting-habits are also
like those of the southern bird; the number and colour of the eggs being
the same in both species. One trivial difference in habit is that De
Filippi's Starling occasionally soars up a few yards into the air when
uttering its song. It inhabits the moist grassy pampas in the southern
part of the Buenos Ayrean province, and is there abundant and unites in
large flocks. At the approach of the cold season there is a general
movement northwards of the birds, which does not, however, extend far,
as the birds, although strong fliers, travel slowly and in a peculiar
manner; it is in this season, when the birds are seen moving in large
flocks, that the name of Military Starling strikes one as being
peculiarly appropriate. They do not journey through the air like other
migrants, but move over the ground, when the flock, composed of four or
five hundred to a thousand or more individuals, is extended so as to
present a very long front, and at intervals the hindmost birds fly over
the others and alight just in advance of them: the long front, the
precision of their movements, and their scarlet bosoms all turned one
way, suggest the idea of a disciplined army on its march.
They never perch on trees, but frequently alight on the roof of a rancho
or other elevation affording a secure footing. They are tame birds and
fly reluctantly; when approached, they usually crouch down, hiding their
crimson bosoms, and remain motionless in order to escape observation.
In disposition they are peaceful, and so fond of society that when one
becomes separated from his fellows he will unite with birds of another
kind, even with Plovers or Tyrant-birds.
On the great monotonous plains, where most of the small birds are grey-
or brown-plumaged, and in winter when there are no flowers to satisfy
the desire of the eye for bright colour, it is delightful, while
travelling, to meet with an army of these Starlings: their crimson
bosoms, less bright than the hues of some tropical species, seem then
to glow with a strange splendour on the sombre green of earth, and the
sight produces an exhilarating effect on the mind.