BIRDS. 211 



Tiie stare, distinguishable from the rest of this tribe by the 

 glossy green of its feathers in some lights, and the purple in 

 others, breeds in hollow trees, eaves of houses, towers, ruins, 

 cliffs, and often in high rocks over the sea. It lays four or five 

 eggs of a pale greenish ash-colour, and makes its nest of stravv', 

 small fibres of roots, and such like. Its voice is rougher than 

 the rest of this kind ; but what it wants in the melody of its 

 note, it compensates by the facility with which it is taught to 

 speak. In winter these birds assemble in vast flocks, and feed 

 upon worms and insects. At the approach of spring they as- 

 semble in fields as if in consultation together, and for three or 

 four diiys seem to take no nourishment : the greater part leave 

 the country ; the rest breed here, and bring up their young. • 



* The Starting is widely dispersed through Great Britain, occurring as 

 numerously in tlie Orkney and Shetland Isles as in the southern parts of the 

 kingdom. In the autumnal and hyeraal months, these birds gather in im- 

 mense flocks, and are particularly abundant in the fenny parts of Nottiug. 

 Iiamshire and Lincolnshire, where they roost among the reeds. Before they 

 retire to rest, they perform various manoeuvres in the air, the whole fre- 

 quently describing rapid revolutions round a common centre. 



This peculiar flight will sometimes continue for nearly half an hour, be- 

 ore they become finally settled for the night. Upon the approach of spring 

 they pair, and spread tliemselves over the country. — They build in the holes 

 }f trees, or in ruinous buildings, making an artless nest of dry grass or hay, 

 on whicli four or five eggs of a bluish-green colour, are deposited. — Their food 

 principally consists of worms and other insects ; but they also eat grain and 

 various seeds. According to Mr Low, they feed in the Orkney Islands, du- 

 ring the severity of winter, upon the sea-louse (Ontscus marinus), which 

 they obtain by turning over the small stones on the beach with their bills. 

 The starling is a very imitative bird, and, when tamed, may be taught to 

 m'ticulate very distinctly, and to wliistle tunes with much precision. In its 

 wild state even, it may frequently be heard endeavouring to imitate the 

 cries of different birds and animals. Its own peculiar notes are a shrill 

 whistle, and chattering kind of noise. It is found throughout Eui-ope ; and 

 the same species appears to be common also in Asia, as I have seen speci- 

 mens from Nepaul that are precisely similar. — The flight of the starling is 

 smooth and even, without any saltatory motion, like the sparrow ; and it 

 walks with ea-e, like the lark, or wagtail, seldom or never using the hopping 

 action of the thrush. These birds are often seen in company with rooks, 

 pigeons, and jackdaws, and I have witnessed a small flock of them associat- 

 ing for a considerable time with a body of lapwings {Vanellus cristatus). 



The red-^nnged starlings of America, though generally migratory in the 

 States ncrth of Maryland, are found during winter in immense flocks, some- 

 times associated witli the purple grakles, and often by themselves, along the 

 wliole lower parts of Vii'ginia, both CaroUna.s, Georgia, and Louisiana, par- 

 Ucul;u-ly near the sea coiist, and in the vicinity of large rice and corn fields. 

 Ill t.'iemonthsof January and February, (says Wilson,) while passing- throinjh 

 UI, X 



