2 STARLINGS. 



placed among the crenirostral birds, inasmuch as 

 the point of its upper mandible is slightly notched; 

 but we mention the Starling as the best known, the 

 Oriole, or Golden Thrush, being a bird of great 

 rarity in this country, though, when once seen, it 

 cannot fail of being recognised and remembered, the 

 whole plumage, with the exception of the wings and 

 tail, being of a bright orange or golden colour. 



The Starling, although closely resembling the 

 Thrush and Blackbird in some respects, differs from 

 them essentially in others; and as its beak, on ex- 

 amination, will be found to be without a notch at its 

 extremity, it may be decidedly placed amongst the 

 crenirostral 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 comes fearlessly under our observation, 

 and invites us to learn his history. For many and 

 many a year have w r e watched him from month to 

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

 for reasons best known to himself, he altogether dis- 

 appears, and leaves us to wonder what is become of 

 him. 



Close before the window of our scene of observa- 

 tion, a W 7 ell-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 gray tower, from the- turreted pinnacle of 



