THE STARLING. 



The Starling. — His natural song is rather 

 poor ; but he has a wonderfully good memory. He 

 will learn to repeat several airs that are played to 

 him, with great ease ; nay, more : he learns to pro- 

 nounce words very distinctly, or imitate the song of 

 other birds, or any sounds when repeatedly heard. 

 Besides this, he becomes very tame in the house, so 

 as to be let out of the cage, and walk about the 

 room. He soon knows all the persons in the house, 

 is always gay and wakeful, and as docile and cun- 

 ning as a dog. His food and treatment may be the 

 same as that of the mocking-bird. He is a very 

 hardy bird, and will sometimes attain the age of fif- 

 teen years. 



63 



