COBIMON STARLING. 45 



Sturnus. Generic Characters. — Beak almost straight, pointed, depressed, 

 wider than high, and slightly subulated. Nostrils basal, lateral, and partly 

 closed by a prominent membrane. Wings long, pointed ; the first feather very 

 short, the second the longest. Feet with three toes in front, one behind ; the 

 middle toe united to the outer ones as far as the first joint. 



The Starling is one of otir handsome birds, both with 

 reference to shape and plumage : and from being very nu- 

 merous as a species, and pretty generally distributed, is 

 not only very well known ; but, from a variety of associations, 

 is a great favourite with many. Being intelligent and 

 sprightly, with a retentive memory, and great flexibility of 

 voice, the males are often kept in confinement, where they 

 learn to whistle tunes, and imitate some of the various sounds 

 of the human voice with facility and correctness. In their 

 more natural state they are social, living in flocks throughout 

 the greater portion of the year; and in some instances, 

 though their labours are distinct, they do not separate widely, 

 even at the breeding-season, if suitable places for an assem- 

 blage of nests can be found in the same locality. Mr, Wa- 

 terton, the admirer, protector, and defender of the Starling, 

 made various cavities in the wall of an old tower, near his 

 residence, to induce these birds to remain and breed there, 

 contrary to their previous habit : his Avishes were gratified ; 

 every cavity had its pair of undisturbed and happy tenants, 

 and from the squabbling for original possession that occurred, 

 more would probably have domiciled there could they have 

 found room. 



The Starling builds in church steeples, under eaves, and in 

 holes of houses, towers, or ruins ; sometimes in hollow trees, 

 and often in cliffs, or high rocks overhanging the sea ; occa- 

 sionally in pigeon-houses. The nest is made of straw, roots, 

 and dry grass ; the eggs are four or five in number, of a 

 uniform delicate pale blue, one inch two lines in length, by 

 ten lines in breadth ; these are hatched in about sixteen days, 



