The Red-wing’d Starling. Stumus Niger alis fuperne
rubentibus.
Numb. XXXVIII.
IT S Length From the tip of the Bill to thé end of the Tail is nine
Inches and a. half, Breadth, when the Wings are expanded, fourteen
Inches, Weight three Ounces and four Drams. It very much refembles
the Starling in Shape and Size. The whole Bird is black, except thè
upper part of the Wings, which is a bright Scarlet, under that a fulvous
yellow'j the Bill is of a dark aih Colour, from the Point to the Angles
of the Mouth an Inch long, very thick at the Head, and ending in a
{harp Point. The Pupil of the Eye is black, the Irides white ; the Bill
under the Noftrils hath a Line of Crimfon which parts it from the black [
Feathers on the Head. The Legs, Feet and Claws are blade. This
Bird was ihot near London. I found in its Gizzard Grubs, Beetles and
fmall Maggots. Ï believe it was a Cage-Bifd, which had got looiè.
It is a Native of Carolina and Virginia^ in which Countries »hey are
very numerous. Mr. Catesby makes mention of its flying in Companies
with the Purple-Dawsy and deftroying the Com wherever they come, |
being the moft deftrudive Birds in thofe Countries.
He fays it makes its Neft over the Water amongft Reeds and Sedges,
the tops of which they interweave fo artfully, making an Arch or Covering,
under which they hang their Neft, (after the manner of the Reed-
Sparrow) and fo fecure from wet, that where the Tide flows it is obferved
never to reach them. It is a very adive and familiar Bipi, and when kept
in a Cage will learn to imitate human Speech. The Spaniards call them
QommenAaioras. See Will. Orn. p. 3pi.