THE STARLING >33 



There is considerable difference in the metallic colouring of individual Starlings : 

 the example which I have noted below, as being heavily white-spotted in winter, 

 used to develop the most brilliant violet on neck and breast in the breeding-season ; 

 the blue and green tints were also very bright ; whilst the buff markings above 

 had a well-defined golden gloss : indeed, the whole bird appeared as if formed out 

 of burnished metal. 



Wherever the House-Sparrow is, one may be pretty certain to meet with the 

 Starling either in town or country : it is a bird which is always conspicuous, 

 whether on the wing or on the ground : in spring one sees a dozen or more 

 flying round a Rook, regularly mobbing him as he carries home some grub to his 

 callow young, until in his fright he drops the dainty morsel and down go the 

 Starlings with much noise to quarrel over it; later the tables are turned, the 

 Starling as it carries food to its young being similarly tormented by Sparrows. 

 Now one sees the male bird sitting high up on some naked branch, on a chimney- 

 pot, or the corner of a gable, discoursing what he evidently considers sweet music. 



Marvellous is the song of the Starling ! a curious combination of whistling, 

 squeaking, gargling, and the sucking hiss made by pulling out the handle of a 

 brass garden squirt : a few of the whistled notes are clear, and the song, if not 

 melodious, is at any rate comical enough to be not unpleasant : moreover the 

 energy which the bird puts into the performance is ridiculous ; his head is some- 

 what retracted, the feathers of crown and throat all somewhat raised, his bill wide 

 open, his wings quivering, and his whole body shaking. As Mr. Witchell observes : 

 " In early spring the phrases of the Starling are concluded with a harsh squealing 

 cry." Mr. Witchell tells us that he has heard about half a dozen of these birds 

 singing the following phrase in chorus ; that the intervals were fairly correct, and 

 the unison was seemingly perfect : he says that one bird commenced the phrase 



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with the first two notes and then the others joined in. I cannot say that I have 

 ever had a similar experience; but then I have not had the musical training 

 which Mr. Witchell has received. 



The warning-cry of the Starling is a cah, not unlike that of a rook, but the cry 

 of terror is a harsh shrieking ; then there is a prolonged reedy whistle, apparently 

 a note of excitement, only heard in the spring ; and lastly there is the call of the 

 male bird to his mate :Joey dee-ur hee-ur (the hee very much prolonged).* The 

 cry of the young for food is very loud and harsh. 



It is noteworthy that all talking Starlings are reported as saying "Joey," or "Joey dear." 

 VOL. ii. Y 



