THE STARLING, OR STARE. 139 



The starling (sturnus vulgaris) breeds with us, as in 

 most villages in England. Towards autumn the broods 

 unite, and form large flocks; but those prodigious 

 flights, with which, in some particular years, we are 

 visited, especially in parts of those districts formerly 

 called the " fen counties," are probably an accumulation 

 from foreign countries. We have seldom more than a 

 pair, or two, which nestle under the tiling of an old 

 house, in the tower of the church, the deserted hole of 

 the wood-pecker, or some such inaccessible place. The 

 flights probably migrate to this country alone, as few 

 birds could travel long, and continue such a rapid mo- 

 tion as the starling. The Royston crow, the only mi- 

 grating bird with which it forms an intimate association, 

 is infinitely too heavy of wing to have journeyed with 

 the stare. The delight of these birds in society is a 

 predominant character ; and to feed they will associate 

 with the rook, the pigeon, or the daw ; and sometimes, 

 but not cordially, with the fieldfare : but they chiefly 

 roost with their own families, preferring some reedy, 

 marshy situation. These social birds are rarely seen 

 alone, and should any accident separate an individual 

 from the companions of its flight, it will sit disconsolate 

 on an eminence, piping and plaining, till some one of 

 its congeners join it. Even in small parties they keep 

 continually calling and inviting associates to them, with 

 a fine clear note, that, in particular states of the air, 

 may be heard at a considerable distance. This love of 

 society seems to be innate ; for I remember one poor 

 bird, that had escaped from domestication, in which it 

 had entirely lost, or probably never knew, the language 

 or manners of its race, and acquired only the name of 

 its mistress ; disliked and avoided by its congeners, it 

 would sit by the hour together, sunning on some tall 

 elm, calling in a most plaintive strain, Nanny, Nanny, 

 but no Nanny came ; and our poor solitary either pined 

 itself to death, or was killed, as its note ceased. They 

 vastly delight, in a bright autumnal morning, to sit 

 basking and preening themselves on the summit of a 

 tree, chattering all together in a low song-like note. 

 There is something singularly curious and mysterious 



