178 STARLING. 



and the low and sweet, though melancholy 

 character of his song, which is given 

 during a considerable portion of the day, 

 and is, if any thing, rather monotonous. 



The colours of this bird are plain, but 

 varied so much in their disposition as to 

 give him considerable beauty. The belly 

 and throat of the Lark are a bright yel- 

 low, while across his breast runs a regular 

 crescent of deep raven-black, with which 

 his back and wings are also spotted, 

 diversified with bright bay and ochreous- 

 yellow colours. 



His habits, when wild, are shy and re- 

 tiring, except in the winter season, when 

 the driving snows force him to seek out 

 the neighbourhood of the habitations of 

 man, and even the public roads, where he 

 is hourly disturbed by the passage of 

 vehicles, while in the search of his scanty 

 meal. In the cage, he soon becomes 

 familiar, and may even be taught like his 

 prototype, the English Stare, or Starling, 

 to articulate various words. 



