- Sturnus vulgaris
- Starling Star"ling (-l[i^]ng), n. [OE. sterlyng, a dim. of OE.
stare, AS. st[ae]r; akin to AS. stearn, G. star, staar, OHG.
stara, Icel. starri, stari, Sw. stare, Dan. st[ae]r, L.
sturnus. Cf. {Stare} a starling.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any passerine bird belonging to {Sturnus} and
allied genera. The European starling ({Sturnus vulgaris})
is dark brown or greenish black, with a metallic gloss,
and spotted with yellowish white. It is a sociable bird,
and builds about houses, old towers, etc. Called also
{stare}, and {starred}. The pied starling of India is
{Sternopastor contra}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) A California fish; the rock trout. [1913 Webster]
3. A structure of piles driven round the piers of a bridge for protection and support; -- called also {sterling}. [1913 Webster]
{Rose-colored starling}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Pastor}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
