eae 
above and dirty-white beneath; bill dusky horn colour. In this plumage it is the 
“Solitary Thrush” of Montagu and Bewick. 
II]. Where, when, and in what numbers found. 
An abundant resident, generally distributed over the British Isles; although it is only 
of late years that it bas become common in some parts of Scotland, and has taken to 
breeding in some districts in Ireland. In autumn there is an immigration from Northern 
Europe, especially on our eastern coasts ; and there is an internal westward migration. 
IVY. Food. 
Worms; grubs of the chafer, daddy-longlegs (crane fly), etc., etc.; small snails ; 
slugs ; insects, including grasshoppers, the “turnip fly”? and other beetles, flies, and other 
winged insects ; caterpillars affecting oak trees; and ticks; hedge berries, especially those 
of the elder and rowan. In winter some grain is eaten, but rarely. In some seasons 
(especially very dry ones), and in some districts, but not everywhere, a good deal of garden 
fruit, especially cherries ; currants also are said to be eaten, and (in 1896) pears. 
V. Characteristics. 
Hardly any bird is more easily encouraged to breed by the erection of small nesting 
boxes. Starlings may often be seen taking insects on the wing, and flying round almost 
like swallows for a considerable time. The Starling runs and walks on the ground 
with ease. It breeds in holes in trees, roofs, houses, towers, and ruins; in crevices and 
holes in rocky cliffs; in the heads of water-pipes; and, in the northern isles, in holes 
under stones, rat and rabbit holes, and holes in turf dykes, peat stacks, ete. The nest is 
made of straw, dry grass, and occasionally a few twigs, usually lined with some feathers, 
wool, or scraps of other material. Nesting goes on from the early part of April until the 
latter part of May. Eggs, from four to seven in number, uniform pale greenish-blue, about 
1:2 in. in length and ‘85 in. in breadth. Single eggs are not uncommonly found deposited 
on the grass. Two broods are often reared by the same pair of birds. Young very noisy in 
nest; after leaving it they form flocks and resort to the grass fields and hedgerow trees. 
Song pleasing, and accompanied by a puffing up of feathers and shaking of wings; composed 
of chattering notes, snapping noises made by beak, and long, sweet whistles. Mimics notes 
of other birds. Very loquacious, and call and alarm notes very varied; e.g., “stare” or 
“starr,” “spatt,’ a whistle, and a metallic “tink” or “ quink.” 
VI. Protection. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880.—This bird does not appear in the schedule, but 
anyone other than the owner or occupier of land, or his agent, taking, killing, etc., a Starling 
