THE STAELING, 



Sturnus vulgaris — Linn^us. 



ERHAPS there is no bird that 

 does so much real good to the 

 husbandman as the Starling. 



i To those who only know the 

 bird from its having eaten, in 

 company with its congeners, 

 almost all the cherries and 

 elderberries, or stopped the 

 water-spout with its nest, this 

 may appear startling news; but 

 true it certainly is, neverthe- 

 less. The Starling generally 

 finds a home where meadow- 

 land or turf exists, and its 

 usefulness to the grazier is 

 incalculable. Those who pos- 

 sess lawns, and can watch the 

 bird from an advantageous 

 window, with the aid of a pair 

 of glasses (which every natur- 

 alist should possess), may per- 

 ceive this bird industriously 

 parting the grass in a most 

 ingenious manner with its beak, 

 whilst securing and feeding 



