FEBRUARY 



309 



there is audible a great fluttering of heavy wings, 

 and the sentinel starling has brought his relations 

 to the feast. The starlings have not packed this 

 winter nor indeed for the last three or four winters 

 but are still living in the neighbourhood of houses 

 after their summer fashion. Doubtless they know 

 better than we do when a mild season is coming, 

 and will not trouble themselves to change their 

 quarters except in times of necessity. They live in 

 holes in the thatch, and sometimes on a mild January 



THE MORNING FEAST 



morning they choose to pretend that they are black- 

 birds, and wake us with a descant only a little less 

 beautiful than the blackbird's note. When they fly 

 down to their breakfast they do not disturb the 

 sparrows ; but the robins will not consent to eat in 

 their company, and retire sullenly to their dens, 

 whence their bright eyes watch the intruders in 

 jealous impatience. Then the blackbirds hurry up at 

 the last moment to get what remnants they can find ; 

 a tomtit or two and a bullfinch join them in nervous 

 dread of the consequences, and a solitary thrush 



