STARLINGS. 



their comings and goings by particular harsh or low muttering 

 cries, according as they think they are watched or not. They 

 are cunning birds, and discover in an instant whether a passer- 

 by has an eye to their movements, and perfectly aware whether 

 he is following his own business or theirs. If he steps onwards, 

 without troubling himself about them, they go in and out with 

 perfect unconcern ; but if a glance of curiosity or observation 

 is directed to their motions, they are all upon the alert ; the 

 bearer of a tuft to the nest wheels to the right-about, and 

 perching on the naked upper twig of a small beech-tree, or the 

 projecting point of a gable end, sits there, uttering a particular 

 note, which seems to give, as well as words could do, intima- 

 tion to a mate to be on its guard, as a spy is at hand. If the 

 weather is tolerably favourable, everything goes on smoothly 

 and regularly ; but (and we have, in the journal of our Star- 

 lings' proceedings, many instances on record) should a severe 

 and sudden change occur, a violent storm of snow, or continu- 

 ance of chilling winds, all operations are suspended ; not only 

 the eaves and half-built nests, but even the tower itself, battle- 

 ments, weathercock, and all, are deserted, till a return of fine 

 weather, when the Starlings too return, and the work again 

 proceeds. At length the nests are built, the eggs laid, and the 

 young ones hatched. Then a new scene of noise, and activity, 

 and bustle commences, increasing of course as the nestlings 

 become older and more voracious. Then it is that the lawn 

 becomes a favourite resort; hitherto a few idlers may have 

 hopped and pecked up a stray worm or two, but now the search 

 is a matter of serious occupation. 



Down they come, the sober-coloured hen, and the cock with 

 the sun glittering on its spangled feathers, with claws and beaks 

 as busily employed as if their very existence depended upon it. 

 All however in good social harmony, never quarrelling with 

 the shy and less intrusive Thrush or Blackbird ; or with the 

 lively Wagtails, contenting themselves with the lighter fare of 

 the myriads of minute flies and beetles hovering over the fresh 

 mown turf. 



The noise and bustle go on incessantly, till the young ones 

 are fledged, when for a day or two they may be seen fluttering 



