STARLING. 163 



gregated every evening at the Cathedral, and then went 

 to roost under the eaves of Marsh's Library, in the 

 Close ; and, in response to his invitation, at about four 

 o'clock in the evening before mentioned, I arrived just 

 as the early groups of Starlings were arriving too. 

 From about four o'clock to half-past four, parties of 

 birds were heaving in sight, and from every quarter, 

 some high up in the air, others lower down, some in 

 groups of six or eight, others of fifteen or twenty, until 

 at last the top of the long roof and the minarets of the 

 Cathedral were black with Starlings. Then in a moment 

 they rose into the air ; and dived down on the lower 

 roof of the Library ; for a second or two they rested in 

 the long spouts, and then disappeared under the eaves 

 in silence, leaving not one behind. Mr. Tomlinson 

 estimated the number, after repeated observations, at 

 about 2,000, and he had witnessed this curious and 

 enlivening spectacle for almost three months. 



Bishop Stanley has admirably described the move- 

 ments of a large flock of Starlings as follows : 



" At first they might be seen advancing high in the 

 air like a dark cloud, which in an instant, as if by magic, 

 became almost invisible, the whole body, by some 

 mysterious watchword or signal, changing their course, 

 and presenting their wings to view edgeways, instead of 

 exposing, as before, their full expanded spread. Again, 

 in another moment, the cloud might be seen descending 

 in a graceful sweep, so as almost to brush the earth as 

 they glanced along. Then once more they were seen 

 spiring in wide circles on high, till at length, with one 

 simultaneous rush, down they glide, with a roaring noise 

 of wing, till the vast mass buried itself unseen, but not 



