. A text-book of agricultural zoology. Zoology, Agricultural; Zoology, Economic. PASSEEES (finches AND BUNTINGS). 393 The Starling {S. vulgaris) needs no description. The young, however, might escape our notice, for they are very different in plumage to the adult. The young starling is uniform ashy-grey without any spots, and has even been described as a distinct species by older vs'riters. Starlings, especially after the breeding season, unite in large flocks, which fly at early morn to their feeding-grounds, and may often be seen accompanying the rooks and jackdaws. The nests are formed in h
. A text-book of agricultural zoology. Zoology, Agricultural; Zoology, Economic. PASSEEES (finches AND BUNTINGS). 393 The Starling {S. vulgaris) needs no description. The young, however, might escape our notice, for they are very different in plumage to the adult. The young starling is uniform ashy-grey without any spots, and has even been described as a distinct species by older vs'riters. Starlings, especially after the breeding season, unite in large flocks, which fly at early morn to their feeding-grounds, and may often be seen accompanying the rooks and jackdaws. The nests are formed in holes in trees, walls, dovecots, chimneys, &c., in which are found five to seven pale greenish-blue eggs. The whole family of young and parents unite with others to form the flocks, and these break up again in the spring for nesting. During their foraging expeditions they feed on all manner of insect grubs, which form their chief food. Ticks on sheep are greedily devoured by them. On the other hand, they cause much harm in orchards, cherries being particularly damaged by them, as well as other soft fruit. On the whole, they do more good than harm. Amongst the insects they are partial to are grasshoppers, wireworm, larvae of moths, and plant-lice; slugs and worms are also eaten. Finches and Buntings Fringillid^e). The Finches and Buntings form the family Fringillidse of the Passeres, the former being included in the sub-family Fringillinm, the latter in the sub-family EmberizincB. The Finches are remark- able for their short, thick, and powerful beak, the upper and lower mandi- bles being about the same size, so that the beak when closed forms a short thick cone (fig. 195). All the Finches are. Fro. 195. —Head of Finch. The Hawfin(-h (Coccothraustes vulgar (Slightly enlarged.). Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resembl
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1899
