230 STARLINGS. 



found to be without a notch at its extremity, it may be 

 decidedly placed amongst the conirostral tribe. 



Of some birds it is difficult, from their retired habits, 

 to give any clear and accurate account. Not so of our 

 friend the Starling. When it suits his purpose, he comes 

 fearlessly under our observation, and invites us to learn 

 his history. For many and many a year have we 

 watched him from month to month, with the exception 

 of a certain season, when for reasons best known to- 

 himself, he altogether disappears, and leaves us to- 

 wonder what is become of him. 



Close before the window of our scene of observation, 

 a well-mown short-grassed lawn is spread before him 

 it is his dining-room; there in the Spring he is allowed 

 to revel, but seldom molested, on the plentiful supply of 

 worms, which he collects pretty much in the same 

 manner as the Thrush, already described. Close at 

 hand, within half a stone's throw, stands an ivy-mantled 

 parish church, with its massy grey tower, from the 

 turreted pinnacle of which rises a tali flag-staff, crowned 

 by its weather-cock; under the eaves, and within the 

 hollows and chinks of the masonry of this tower are his 

 nursery establishments. On the battlements and pro- 

 jecting grotesque tracery of its Gothic ornaments he 

 retires to enjoy himself, looking down on the rural world 

 below; while, at other times, a still more elevated party 

 will crowd together on the letters of the weathercock, or 

 accustomed to its motion, sociably twitter away their 

 chattering song, as the vane creaks slowly round with 

 every change of wind. 



We will give a journal of our Starlings' lives. At 

 the close of January, one or two unconnected birds, now. 

 and then make their appearance on this weathercock; 

 at first but for a few minutes, as if without an assignable 

 reason they had merely touched upon it as an inviting 

 resting-place, in their unsettled course. In February, if 

 -the weather happens to be mild, the number of idlers 

 may possibly now and then increase; but still the visit 



