THE STARLING. 



(Jan. 21, 1888.) 



THE starling is, with, the exception of the sparrow, 

 probably the commonest of London birds. From 

 the nature of its food it is not so ubiquitous, but 

 in all the Parks and larger open grassed spaces it 

 may be seen at all times of the year. Its food 

 consists principally of worms and insects ; but, 

 notwithstanding that it possesses an enormous 

 appetite, it can live and thrive where the rook, who 

 feeds like it, would starve, the difference in size, 

 and therefore in the amount of food required, 

 having doubtless much to do with this. The 

 number of starlings, in the Parks at least, does not 

 appear to be diminishing, the decay of the trees, 

 which has driven the rooks from their former 

 haunts, having made life easier for these birds by 

 providing them with excellent nesting places, a 

 hole in a tree being considered by the starling a 

 most comfortable nursery. Kensington Gardens, 

 which unfortunately contains as many decaying 

 trees as any park of its size in England, is in con- 

 sequence largely frequented by these birds during 

 the breeding season, as they find not only com- 

 fortable homes and plenty of food within a reason- 



