STARLING. 39 



scattered, flocks of young or unmated birds are common. The 

 family parties join forces, and by autumn large flocks are 

 formed which keep together all day. In the evening these 

 flocks congregate at a common roost, some plantation or reed- 

 bed as a rule, where countless thousands rope the branches or 

 bend the tough reeds. The birds usually collect in isolated 

 clumps of trees, where they whistle and chatter in concert ; 

 then, as if by word of command, all rise and perform compli- 

 cated aerial evolutions. The flock fans out or closes up, wheels 

 or turns sharply, forms into a compact mass or trails off into a 

 long waving line or wreath of birds, until as one body it dives, 

 rains down, or drifts into the roosting trees or reeds. The 

 usual flight of the Starling is direct ; the triangular wings beat 

 very rapidly, then are held whilst the bird glides, losing but 

 little altitude. The wings are not brought far forward ; the 

 bird's form is that of a wide-barbed arrow-head. When, how- 

 ever, high-flying beetles or other insects are on the wing, the 

 Starling hawks after them like a Swallow ; it turns and twists, 

 dodges and swoops with considerable agility. On the ground 

 it runs or walks, but seldom hops unless hurried. 



In spring insects and other invertebrates are eaten, and the 

 bird destroys large numbers of weevils and other beetles ; 

 larvae, including grass-devouring wire-worms and the grubs of 

 flies, are successfully sought for ; it is a farmer's friend. In 

 summer and autumn, however, it raids fruit crops and is par- 

 ticularly harmful when pears are ripe. When the young are in 

 the nest it is always in a hurry ; its arrival at the nesting hole 

 is the signal for wheezy and impatient cries from the expectant 

 brood. When these have left the nest they follow their parents 

 until the woods ring with their insistent demands. In the fields 

 the flocks are restless, settling in a body, scouring a particular 

 area, working outwards from the centre ; but if one bird takes 

 a short flight, the others immediately follow as if fearing to 

 miss something it has discovered. The flocks feed in gardens, 



