95 



THE STARLING. 



(Sturnus vulgaris.) 



The Starling is a very lively, jovial bird, very active, 

 hunting about, and chattering over what it snaps up. It 

 is also very sociable. These birds often collect in such 

 numbers, in places, where a wood is bounded by pastures 

 or reed-beds that when the flock rises together, it throws 

 a shadow like a dark cloud. It specially seeks out flocks 

 cattle, horses, sheep or pigs, and stalks about in 

 their shadow, under the very noses of the wallowing 

 swine, in order to drag out of the earth the desired 

 worms, in company with the Blue headed Wagtail. It 

 also perches on the bodies of the beasts, and operates on 

 them where there are maggots or worms. The animal 

 knows the bird is doing him a good turn, and remains 

 perfectly still. 



It is true that this bird also attacks cherries, black- 

 berries, raspberries and grapes; and, if present in num- 

 bers, it does, indeed, considerable harm. Then it must 

 be frightened off with rattles, blank-shot, and whatever 

 else is of use. Still, the year through, it does a thousand 

 times more good than harm and therefore deserves to be 

 protected and cherished. 



It becomes very tame and trusting in captivity and 

 can be easily taught. It can learn to sing tunes and 

 speak words and becomes attached to its owner. 



Mrs. Edward Phillips of Croydon rescued forty star- 

 lings once from the pockets of a working man who said 



