196 LABOUR OF BIRDS. 



Travellers tell us, that starlings abound in Persia 

 and the regions of Caucasus. 



No birds, except sparrows, congregate more 

 densely than stares. They seem continually to be 

 running into clusters, if ever so little scattered ; 

 and the stopping of one, to peck at a worm, im- 

 mediately sets all its companions hastening to par- 

 take. This habit in the winter season brings on 

 them death, and protracted sufferings, as every 

 village popper notices these flocks, and fires at the 

 poor starlings. Their flesh is bitter and rank, and 

 thus useless when obtained ; but the thickness of 

 the flights, the possibility of killing numbers, and 

 manifesting his skill, encourages the trial. The 

 flight of these birds, whether from feeding to roost, 

 or on their return to feed, is so rapid, that none 

 with any impediment can keep company ; and in 

 consequence we see many, which have received 

 slight wing or body wounds, lingering about the 

 pastures long into spring, and pining after compa- 

 nions they cannot associate with. 



These birds are very assiduous in their attentions 

 to their young, and in continual progress to collect 

 worms and insects for them. However strong pa- 

 rental affection may be in all creatures, yet the 

 care which birds manifest in providing for their 

 nestlings is more obvious than that of other animals. 

 The young of beasts sleep much ; some are hidden 

 in lairs and thickets nearly all the day, others take 

 food only at intervals or stated periods, the parent 



