224 WILD LIFE ON A NORFOLK ESTUARY 



On May 2/th, 1905, I observed some starlings hovering 

 over Breydon like gulls, continually dipping and snatch- 

 ing up a small fly (probably Actora) that had perished by 

 myriads. I have no doubt that the heavy, unsettled weather 

 of the two previous days had caused these flies to fall into 

 the water. 



Few novices at the gun can resist a shot at a parcel of 

 starlings ; and most local gunners of my acquaintance 

 seldom let an opportunity slip of firing into a passing flock. 

 With us the starlings are usually wary and suspicious ; but, 

 as if knowing that they are comparatively safe when 

 dodging in and out among the legs of cattle grazing on the 

 marshes, it is seldom that a shot can be made at them. 

 Consequently one can get very close to them, and can see 

 them snapping up the insects, Hypoderma lineatum, and 

 other tormenting species, for which good offices the patient 

 animals seem sensibly grateful. If we could but persuade 

 the starling to resist the temptations offered in autumn by 

 ripening cherries and mulberries, I do not think the gardener 

 would have much cause to raise a hand against this extremely 

 useful little bird. 



Its occasional consorting with the smaller gulls, and its 

 mimicry of their methods, when fishing at the entrance of 

 Breydon, always interest me. Fond as is the starling of 

 shrimps and the like, which I have often observed it snatch 

 from the shrimp-nets hanging from the boats' masts to dry, 

 I am all but certain that it is the half-floating, half-swimming 

 Idotea linearis, that long-bodied, long-antennaed crustacean, 

 which it stoops to snatch at. This crustacean is exceedingly 

 numerous in the finer months of the year. A starling was 

 one day seen by a friend of mine, an excellent observer, to 

 dart, gull-like, at some object on the surface of the river, and 

 rising again, with the tips of its wings and toes only wetted, 

 holding between its mandibles a struggling fish one of the 

 three-inch herring-fry which is often most abundant in local 

 waters in the month of August. 



That all our local starlings do not move south on the 

 approach of winter is certain. A particular individual, with 

 a " gamey " leg, for two years past, at every season of the 

 year, has frequented the St. George's Park, and has attracted 

 attention by his infirmities. He seems to be a confirmed 



