COMMON STARLING. 45 



STURNUS. Generic CJutracters. Beak almost straight, pointed, depressed, 

 wider than high, and slightly subulated. Nostrils, basal, lateral, and partly 

 closed by a prominent membrane. Wings long, pointed ; the first feather 

 very short, the second the longest. Feet with three toes in front, one be- 

 hind ; the middle toe united to the outer ones as far as the first joint. 



THE STARLING is one of our handsome birds, both with 

 reference to shape and plumage ; and from being very nu- 

 merous as a species, and pretty generally distributed, is not 

 only very well known, but, from a variety of associations, 

 is a great favourite with many. Being intelligent and 

 sprightly, with a retentive memory, and great flexibility 

 of voice, the males are often kept in confinement, where 

 they learn to whistle tunes, and imitate some of the various 

 sounds of the human voice with facility and correctness. 

 In their more natural state they are social, living in flocks 

 throughout the greater portion of the year ; and in some 

 instances, though their labours are distinct, they do not 

 separate widely, even at the breeding-season, if suitable 

 places for an assemblage of nests can be found in the same 

 locality. Mr. Waterton, the admirer, protector, and de- 

 fender of the Starling, made various cavities in the wall of 

 an old tower, near his residence, to induce these birds to 

 remain and breed there, contrary to their previous habit : 

 his wishes were gratified ; every cavity had its pair of 

 undisturbed and happy tenants, and from the squabbling 

 for original possession that occurred, more would probably 

 have domiciled there could they have found room. 



Dr. Beverley Morris, of York, on the subject of the 

 Starling when nest-building, says in the Zoologist : " I 

 stood this morning for nearly an hour, watching a pair 

 of Starlings. They had chosen a hole in a tree close to 

 me for their nest, in the construction of which the female 

 alone was engaged ; the male sat near, looking on, but 

 never fetching any materials ; he seemed to be a sort of 

 guard or sentinel, as he repeatedly drove off some sparrows 



