128 NATURE'S STORY OF THE YEAR 



young are about to try their wings for the first 

 time, the starling is pulling worms all day. But, 

 while vigorously working, he must also keep a 

 sharp look-out for the arrival of predacious beast 

 or bird. Near a hedge, the weasel may spring 

 on him ; and in the open he must listen for the 

 little birds' cries that tell of a coming hawk. 

 Not only does he understand the meaning of 

 those cries, but other birds know well enough 

 the cause of his own signal announcing the same 

 event. In order to save time the starling collects 

 as many worms and insects as can be carried at 

 one time, before hastening to the nest ; but, since 

 he cannot work effectively at a worm-hole when 

 thus encumbered, he lays down the prizes when 

 a promising heap is reached, and takes them up 

 again when a critical survey has been made. He 

 must not run far from the morsels, however, or 

 another starling will appropriate them. He quite 

 appreciates this risk at its true value, and, though 

 readily quitting his treasures and making a survey 

 at the radius of some feet from it when a thief is 

 not near, when a raid is to be feared he keeps 

 them almost within reach of his bill, and only 



