234 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



of the bird is almost eight inches. This is not the only bird 

 that constructs pensile nests ; the Weaver Birds also form 

 these nests, but of a different form. They look like great 

 pistols hung up by the butt, the entrance being at the muzzle, 

 and the nest in the butt. 



Sub-family (j. Sturnincc. 

 STURNUS. 



Vulgaris (Lat. common), the Starling. 



The COMMON STARLING is a bird well known both for its 

 beauty and the singular method of flight. When a flock of 

 Starlings begin to settle for the night, they wheel round the 

 place selected with great accuracy. Suddenly, as if by word 

 of command, the whole flock turn their sides to the spectator, 

 and with a great whirring of wings, the whole front and shape 

 of the flock is altered. No body of soldiers could be better 

 wheeled or countermarched than are these flocks of Starlings, 

 except, perhaps, an unfortunate few, who are usually thrown 

 out at each change, and whom we must charitably suppose 

 recruits. 



The Starling lives principally among old buildings, and is 

 very fond of gaining admittance into dovecotes, where it is a 

 harmless visitor, and may be suffered to remain without detri- 

 ment to the pigeons or their eggs. Its nest is made usually 

 in a hole in a wall, sometimes in a decayed tree, and contains 

 five eggs of a very delicate uniformly pale blue. 



