40 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRBS. 



having been lately in our possession that was extremely 

 tame ; there are often found amidst these erratic birds 

 specimens of a pied colour. 



Starlings are always more or less gregarious^ and in 

 October proceed upon their migration southwards. The 

 flocks assembled are sometimes of prodigious numbers,, and 

 yetj as an old and well-known naturalist, Mr. G. Sways- 

 land, says, " there isn''t one too many considering the good 

 they do." Their flight is particularly swift and straight, 

 maintained at a considerable height^ and they keep together 

 with marvellous fidelityjX 



