STURNID^. 22o 



which are usually obtained by searching for them 

 on the ground. Their notes consist of a shrill 

 whistle, occasionally varied by a chattering noise ; 

 and they often imitate the cries of birds and animals. 

 They make their nests of dry grass, in the holes of 

 trees and buildings, and lay from four to five eggs. 



The type of this sub -family is — 



The Common Starling [Sturnus vulgaris). This well- 

 known bird appears to be generally distributed over the 

 whole of the Eastern hemisphere. In the autumn, the 

 Starlings collect m large flocks, consisting of old and 

 young birds, which fly together in search of food, and 

 roost together at night. Sometimes many of these flocks 

 select some mass of trees as a common roosting-place, to 

 which they come uight after night in thousands. Their 

 food consists of worms, insects, slugs, and snails, together 

 with berries and seeds, the latter especially during the 

 autumn and winter. In pursuit of insects and worms, 

 they may be constantly seen in parties upon meadows and 

 lawns, sometimes in company with Rooks and other birds : 

 when thus engaged, they do not hop, but run, movmg 

 their feet alternately. 



They alight in open pastures abruptly, without prepa- 

 ratory reconnoitring, and immediately disperse, running 

 nimbly along in search of mollusca, worms, and other 

 objects. On discovering traces of a subterranean larva 

 or worm, they dig for it, with great dexterity, m the 

 same manner as the Thrushes and the Crows. During 

 their search they are seldom silent, some individuals 

 commonly keeping up a chattering noise, and occasion- 

 ally uttermg a low scream ; this scream prolonged and 

 heightened is the intimation of alarm, and when heard 

 from one or more of the flock, they immediately cease 

 their search, look up, and if they judge it necessary, fly 

 oW with s}>eed to a considerable distance. 



