124 THE STARLINGS 



own home. Each scolds ; but neither blushes ; neither is one bit 

 ashamed. . . . " * 



Breeding colonies are likewise formed in districts, such as the 

 Orkneys, where, other sites being unavailable, the birds have taken 

 to making their nests in heaps of stones on the beach. The mound 

 of stones shown in the photograph on Plate xxm. was " about three 

 feet high, at the bottom of a low cliff, and only distant a couple 

 of yards from high-water mark. It was tenanted by a numerous 

 colony of starlings, whose nests were easily found by turning back 

 the stones, and it was curious to see and hear the young birds 

 scrambling away through the crannies, like so many rats, as one 

 walked over the mound." 2 This breeding colony reminds one of the 

 vast colonies of the rosy-starlings which are found among the 

 boulders on mountain-sides, and of which details will be given in the 

 next chapter. It may further be noted that, even when starlings are 

 compelled by the scattered position of their nesting sites to breed 

 apart, the various pairs may frequently be seen feeding in close 

 proximity so as to have almost the appearance of a small flock. 



Whether starlings pair for life or not is uncertain, but in either 

 case they, like birds of other species, express each returning spring 

 the revival of their love, both by song and display. The song, which 

 may be heard almost at any time of the year, must of course, outside 

 the breeding season, express feelings other than of love probably a 

 general sense of well-being and comfortable repletion. Its com- 

 bination of clear piping notes, with running clicks, "twips" " quks" 

 or "tunks," " quer-tsees," and a medley of other queer little noises, 

 makes it unlike that of any other British species. Once heard 

 it is not forgotten. It is often uttered from the top of some tall 

 chimney-pot, to which the little songster adds just that touch of life 

 and harmony which makes even a chimney-pot appear a thing of 

 joy and beauty, the more so if seen in a clear strong light glowing red 



1 E. Selous, Bird Life Glimpses, pp. 133-138. 



2 British Birds, iii. p. 120 (N. P. Ticehurst). 



