212 STARLINGS. 



without a notch at its extremity, it may be decidedly placed 

 amongst the conirostral tribe. 



Of some birds it is difficult, from their retired habits, to 

 give any clear and accurate account. Not so of our friend 

 the Starling. When it suits his purpose, he conies fearlessly 

 under our observation, and invites us to learn his history. 

 For many and many a year have we watched him from 

 month to month, with the exception of a certain season, when, 

 for reasons best known to himself, he altogether disappears, 

 and leaves us to wonder what is become of him. 



Close before the window of our scene of observation, a 

 well-mown short-grassed lawn is spread before him it is his 

 dining-room ; there in the Spring he is allowed to revel, but 

 seldom molested, on the plentiful supply of worms, which he 

 collects pretty much in the same manner as the Thrush, 

 already described. Close at hand, within half a stone's 

 throw, stands an ivy-mantled parish church, with its massy 

 grey tower, from the turreted pinnacle of which rises a tall 

 flag-staff, crowned bynts weather-cock ; under the eaves, and 

 within the hollows and chinks of the masonry of this tower 

 are his nursery establishments. On the battlements and 

 projecting grotesque tracery of its Gothic ornaments he re- 

 tires to enjoy himself, looking down on the rural world below ; 

 while, at other times, a still more elevated party will crowd 

 together on the letters of the weathercock, or, accustomed to 

 its motion, sociably twitter away their chattering song, as the 

 vane creaks slowly round with every change of wind. 



We will give a journal of our Starling's lives. At the 

 close of January, one or two unconnected birds now and then 

 make their appearance on this weathercock ; at first but for 

 a few minutes, as if without an assignable reason they had 

 merely touched upon it as an inviting resting-place, in their 

 unsettled course. In February, if the weather happens to be 

 mild, the number of idlers may possibly now and then in^ 

 crease ; but still the visit seems to be but the mere passing 

 call of a few strangers, without a leading object. In March, 

 however, about the first or second week, according to the state 

 of the weather, things begin to assume a more bustling and 



