STARLINGS. 231 



seems to be but the mere passing call of a few stran gers 

 without a leading object. In March, however, about 

 the first or second week, according to the state of the 

 weather, things begin to assume a more bustling and 

 serious appearance. Hitherto but one or two, or at 

 most three or four, may have dropt in, as if to say, Here 

 we are, the Winter is past and gone, a happier season is 

 at hand. But now the flights increase, the three and 

 the four are multiplied to fourteen or sixteen, and the 

 song becomes a little chorus, more loud and more joyous 

 than before; and occasionally, though at first with some 

 circumspection and hesitation, one or two of the boldest 

 will let themselves gently fall from their airy height, 

 and glide down upon the lawn, as if to inquire into the 

 state of their future larder; for they scarcely take time 

 to taste the hidden treasures below the sod, but looking 

 suspiciously about, are on the wing in a moment, if an 

 inmate approaches the window, or a door is heard to 

 shut or open. 



About the latter end of the second week, affairs begin 

 to be placed upon a more regular footing; the parties 

 on or about the battlements and weather-cock, seem as 

 if they had determined upon a permanent establishment. 

 From early dawn till about ten, there they remain carol- 

 ling away their communications; at that hour, however, 

 off they go, and till four or five o'clock are seen no more 

 throughout the greater part of the day; being absent in 

 the fields, where they may be seen chattering in company 

 with the inhabitants of a neighbouring rookery, or a 

 noisy set of Jackdaws, who have, for time out of mind, 

 been the undisputed tenants of a certain portion of an 

 ancient beech-wood, at no great distance. 



About the third week, the plot begins to thicken still 

 more. The field, the lawn, and the weather-cock, are 

 no longer the only objects of interest. Detachments 

 may be now seen prowling busily over the roof, cautiously 

 creeping in and out, from under the projecting eaves, 

 and by the end of the month, the regular establishment, 



