20 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



time right through the non-breeding season. Like the 

 Rook and the House Sparrow, it evinces a strong par- 

 tiality for the dwelling-places of man, and like the latter 

 bird it also displays great aptitude for adapting itself to 

 a variety of conditions during the season of reproduc- 

 tion. The Starling will make its nest almost anywhere, 

 provided a site can be found well protected from the 

 external air. Holes in buildings are now the favourite 

 situations, but great numbers of nests are made in holes 

 in trees and cliffs,, in peat-stacks, and less frequently in 

 rabbit-burrows. On St. Kilda I was both surprised and 

 delighted to find my favourite bird actually nesting in 

 holes in the ground, on the bare hillsides, and amongst 

 the rough walls of the "cleats." The Starling is 

 thoroughly gregarious all the year round, and numbers 

 breed in close companionship, the size of the colony 

 depending a good deal on the amount of the accommo- 

 dation to be had. Instances are on record where the 

 Starling has been known to breed in a Magpie's nest, 

 and to rear its young in an open nest in a tree ; but 

 from my lifelong acquaintance with this species I think 

 such exceptions (if true) must be excessively rare. The 

 size of the hole varies a good deal, hence the nest is 

 bulky or small accordingly. It is a rude, slovenly struc- 

 ture, made of straw, grass, and roots, and sometimes 

 lined with a few feathers ; rags, twine, or paper will even 

 be used occasionally. Very often a few straws are allowed 

 to dangle out of the entrance, proclaiming the nest to 

 every passer-by. If the eggs are removed from day to 

 day the hen may be encouraged to lay an indefinite 

 number of eggs. I once took no less than forty eggs 

 from one hole during a single season. Odd Starlings' 

 eggs are frequently found in the fields. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement: 

 The eggs of the Starling are from four to six or even 



