THE STARLING. 195 



the Isle of May, and sometimes at the Fame Islands, in 

 autumn, and occasionally in spring.^ It is probable that 

 our Berwickshire birds receive additions to their numbers 

 from these in early autumn, and help to increase the migra- 

 tory flocks later in the season. 



Even before many of our early spring flowers come into 

 bloom, the mellow whistle of the Starling on its return to 

 its accustomed nesting-place is heard, and it tells us that 

 the winter is past and gone, and that the time of primroses 

 is at hand — 



Of all the birds whose tuneful throats 



Do welcome in the verdant spring, 

 I prefer the Steerling's notes, 



And think she does most sweetly sing. 



Allan Ramsay. 



It builds in old towers such as those of Corsbie, Whits- 

 laid, Evelaw, and Dryburgh Abbey; also in rocks overhanging 

 streams, as on the Tweed, Whitadder, and Leader ; and on 

 the sea-coast, as at Siccar ; likewise in holes in trees and 

 walls ; under the eaves and about the chimneys of houses ; 

 and in various other situations. The nest is generally com- 

 posed of dry grass and straw, with roots and twigs, and the 

 eggs, which are from four to seven in number, are of a pale 

 blue colour, without any markings. 



Young Starlings are sometimes taken from the nest by 

 bird-fanciers in the county to be kept as cage-birds, and 

 taught to speak. This seems to have been done in Scotland 

 as long ago as the time of Sir David Lindsay, for, writing in 



1 The Starling was seen on migration in Autumn 1879. — Fames, 22nd Sep. 

 Autumn 1880.— Isle of May, 5th July, 12th Sep. ; Fames, 15th Oct., 13th and 

 ■19th Nov. Autumn 1881.— Isle of May, 21st Oct. Autumn 1882.— Isle of May, 

 1st July, 7th August, 25th Dec. Autumn 1883.— Isle of May, 1st Nov., 31st 

 Dec. Spring 1884.— Isle of May, 15th Feb. Autumn 1884.— Isle of May, 26tli 

 Dec. Spring 1885.— Isle of May, 9th Feb., 11th March. Autumn 1885.— Isle 

 of May, 17th Oct. to Jan. 1886. 



