216 STARLINGS. 



As winter approaches, however, they follow the example of 

 some other birds, such as Larks, Buntings, <fec., and congregate 

 in larger quantities. Not far from the church we have men- 

 tioned, there is a considerable sheet of water, occupying nearly 

 thirty acres ; flanked and feathered on the eastern side by the 

 old beech-wood, already spoken of as the abiding place of the 

 Jackdaws. Its western margin is bounded by an artificial 

 dam, which, as the water is upon a much higher level, com- 

 mands an extensive view over a flat, rich country, the horizon 

 terminated by the faint outline of the first range of Welsh 

 mountains. This dam, on the finer evenings of November, 

 was once the favourite resort of many persons, who found an 

 additional attraction in watching the gradual assemblage of 

 the Starlings. About an hour before sunset, little flocks, by 

 twenties or fifties, kept gradually dropping in, their numbers 

 increasing as daylight waned, till one vast flight was formed, 

 amounting to thousands, and at times we might almost say to 

 millions. Nothing could be more interesting or beautiful than 

 to witness their graceful evolutions. 



At first they might be seen advancing high in the air, like 

 a dark cloud, which in an instant, as if by magic, became 

 almost invisible, the whole body, by some mysterious watch- 

 word or signal, changing their course, arid presenting their 

 wings to view edgeways, instead of exposing, as before, their 

 full expanded spread. Again, in another moment, the cloud 

 might be seen descending in a graceful sweep, so as almost to 

 brush the earth as they glanced along. Then once more they 

 were seen spiring in wide circles on high ; till at length, with 

 one simultaneous rush, down they glide, with a roaring noise 

 of wing, till the vast mass buried itself unseen, but not un- 

 heard, amidst a bed of reeds, projecting from the bank adjacent 

 to the wood. For no sooner were they perched than every 

 throat seemed to open itself, forming one incessant confusion 

 of tongues. 



If nothing disturbed them, there they would most likely 

 remain : but if a stone was thrown, a shout raised, or more 

 especially, if a gun was fired, up again would rise the mass 

 with one unbroken, rushing sound, as if the whole body were 



