THE STARLING. 



damage by too many birds alighting on 

 the same stems and breaking them down. 

 Before finally settling for the night, they 

 perform a great number of wonderful 

 aerial evolutions, especially during fine 

 weather. Whilst sitting in one black 

 mass on every available branch and 



ADULT STARLING IN WINTER. 



bough, producing an indescribable din 

 by all chissicking and chattering to each 

 other at the same time, they will sud- 

 denly become quite silent, and leaping 

 into the air with a noise just like that of 

 a truck-load of small coals being shot 

 into the hold of a steamer, mount to a 

 223 



