Birds of America
By John James Audubon, F. R. SS. L. & E.
VOLUME IV.
GENUS I.--STURNELLA, Vieill. MEADOW STARLING.
Bill rather long, almost straight, conico-subulate, depressed toward the
end; upper mandible with the ridge somewhat flattened, the edges sharp and
overlapping; the tip narrow, but rounded; lower mandible with the outline
straight, the ridge convex, the sides ascending; the tip slightly rounded.
Nostrils oval, with an arched membrane above. Head of ordinary size, depressed;
neck of moderate length; body rather full. Feet of moderate length, strong;
tarsus distinctly scutellate; lateral toes nearly equal, hind toe stout. Claws
arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe large. Plumage rather compact.
Upper eyelid margined with strong bristles. Wings of moderate length, broad;
the second, third, and fourth quills longest; one of the inner secondaries
nearly as long when the wing is closed. Tail short, much rounded, of twelve
acute feathers.