214 STARLINGS. 



they are watched or not. They are cunning birds, and dis- 

 cover in an instant, whether a passer-by has an eye to their 

 movements, and perfectly aware whether he is following his 

 own business or theirs. If he steps onwards, without troubling 

 himself about them, they go in and out with perfect unconcern; 

 but if a glance of curiosity or observation is directed to their 

 motions, they are all upon the alert ; the bearer of a tuft to 

 the nest, wheels to the right-about, and perching on the naked 

 upper twig of a small beech -tree, or the projecting point of a 

 gable end, sits there, uttering a particular note, which seems 

 to give, as well as words could do, intimation to a mate to be 

 on its guard, as a spy is at hand. If the weather is tolerably 

 favourable, everything goes on smoothly and regularly ; but 

 (and we have, in the journal of our Starlings' proceedings, 

 many instances on record) should a severe and sudden change 

 occur, a violent storm of snow, or continuance of chilling 

 winds, all operations are suspended ; not only the eaves and 

 half-built nests,but even the tower itself, battlements, weather- 

 cock, and all, are deserted, till a return of fine weather, when 

 the Starlings too return, and the work again proceeds. At 

 length the nests are built, the eggs laid, and the young ones 

 hatched. Then a new scene of noise, and activity, and bustle 

 commences, increasing of course as the nestlings become older 

 and more voracious. Then it is that the lawn becomes a 

 favourite resort 5 hitherto a few idlers may have hopped and 

 pecked up a stray worm or two, but now the search is a 

 matter of serious occupation. 



Down they come, the sober-coloured hen, and the cock 

 with the sun glittering on its spangled- feathers, with claws 

 and beaks as busily employed as if their very existence de- 

 pended upon it. All however in good social harmony, never 

 quarrelling with the shy and less intrusive Thrush or Black- 

 bird ; or with the lively Wagtails, contenting themselves with 

 the lighter fare of the myriads of minute flies and beetles 

 hovering over the fresh-mown turf. 



The noise and bustle go on incessantly, till the young ones 

 are fledged, when for a day or two they may be seen fluttering 

 about the building, or taking short flights. At length, their 



