62 STARLING. 



April, the same ; May, the same, with grasshoppers ; June, flies, 

 and grubs of various flies ; July, grubs and fresh water shell fish ; 

 August, flies, glowworms, and various beetles ; September, green 

 locusts, grubs of carrion beetles and worms ; October, worms and 

 beetles ; November and December, snails, slugs, and grubs. In 

 summer it adds a little fruit, and in winter hips, haws, and buds 

 of trees." The gardeners, however, bring no complaints against 

 Starlings here, and these details prove their great usefulness in 

 destroying an abundance of insects. 



In the Zoologist (p. 9280) an instance is mentioned by M. 

 Cordeaux, of Starlings collecting in a field of vetches which were 

 going off very much in appearance one dry summer. Two of them 

 were shot, and their stomachs were found to be crammed with 

 insects — earwigs, some small bronze beetles, with a large mass of 

 green aphis, which it was afterwards found were destroying the 

 vetches. Starlings may often be seen, too, on sheep's backs, 

 feeding on the ticks they find in the wool. 



Starlings are eminently gregarious, and the enormous flocks 

 which may be observed in spring and autumn, leave no room to 

 wonder that our extensive orchards and buildings should be so well 

 tenanted. They differ remarkably in their habits. Some inhabit 

 roofs and out-buildings, and frequent the haunts of men ; staying 

 quietly in the same place all the year round ; showing no wish to 

 stray ; and seeming to take no notice of their wilder congeners. 

 Others form very large flocks, which inhabit wild and solitary 

 places, nesting in hollow trees, and roosting in reeds, thickets, and 

 remote woods, from which they issue in great numbers in pursuit 

 of food, often flying long distances. 



High on the topmost branches of the elm, 

 In subtle conversation sits the flock 

 Of social Starlings, the withdrawing beam 

 Enjoying, supperless, of hasty day. 



Humns— Favorite Village. 



Large flocks of Starlings often perform the most curious 

 manoeuvres ; they soar high in the air, fly very swiftly, and 

 wheel suddenly about, as if in obedience to command. In the 



