112 THE STARLINGS 



along the coast. The species is easy to recognise, when in the air, by 

 its comparatively short triangular wings, its rapid direct flight varied 

 by smooth glidings and the precision with which a compact flock, 

 acting as one bird, will alter its formation or direction. On the 

 ground the flock usually spreads into loose order when feeding. 

 But in cold weather, when the soil is hard, I have seen the birds 

 move forward, running or making rapid hops, close together in an 

 irregular line, and in a great hurry, those at the back frequently flying 

 forward over the others and alighting in front, themselves shortly to 

 pass back once more into the rear ranks, possibly an unexpected 

 result of their efforts, which they proceeded to rectify only to find 

 themselves in due course again in the same position. 



Starlings are frequently to be seen feeding in company with other 

 species, especially rooks, jackdaws, and lapwings. But they preserve 

 their unity, and, when they take wing, their serried bands manoeuvre 

 unbroken amid the more open ranks of the bigger birds. These con- 

 gregations of different species are a familiar sight in autumn and 

 winter, and are interesting in that they provide an example of the 

 extension of the social sense, from the individuals within the species 

 to the species themselves the cause being possibly the very primitive 

 feeling that the greater the number the greater the safety. The feeling- 

 may be vague only, semi-conscious, but yet strong enough to impel a 

 flock, say of starlings, to enter a field where flocks of other species have 

 alighted rather than an adjacent one, equally suitable as a feeding 

 ground, but unoccupied. 1 



When feeding on the ground starlings walk or run with a some- 

 what nautical roll, but they will often take several rapid hops when 

 in a hurry. This may be seen when one bird rushes up to see what 

 treasure another has unearthed, or, as above mentioned, when several 

 are moving quickly forward in a pack. They will also hop when run- 

 ning is difficult, for instance, in rough pasture, 2 along the woolly back 



1 For what may be called the social amenities displayed at gatherings of rooks, daws, and 

 lapwings, see vol. i. p. 30. 2 Field, 1874, July 18. 



