STARLINGS. O 



tering cries, according as they think the}^ are watched 

 or not. They are cunning birds, and discover in an 

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

 movements, and perfectly aware whether he is fol- 

 lowing his own business or theirs. If he steps on- 

 wards, 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 mo- 

 tions, 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 



' O ' 



operations are suspended; not only the eaves, and 

 half-built nests, but even the tower itself, battle- 

 ments, weather-cock, and all, are deserted, till a re- 

 turn 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; 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. 



