328 THE STARLING. 



men for having freed the dovecot from such a pest. Alas ! these 

 poor starlings had merely resorted to it for shelter and protection, 

 and were in no way responsible for the fragments of egg-shells which 

 were strewed upon the floor. These fragments were the work of deep- 

 designing knaves, and not of the harmless starling. The rat and the 

 weasel were the real destroyers; but they had done the deed of 

 mischief in the dark, unseen and unsuspected ; while the stranger 

 starlings were taken, condemned, and executed, for having been found 

 in a place built for other tenants of a more profitable description. 

 After the closest examination of the form and economy of the star- 

 ling, you will be at loss to produce any proof of its being an egg-sucker. 

 If it really sucks the eggs of pigeons, it would equally suck the eggs 

 of other birds ; and those eggs not being concealed in the dark 

 recesses of the pigeoncot, but exposed in open nests on the ground, 

 and often in the leafless bushes of the hedge, this fact would afford to 

 the inquisitive naturalist innumerable opportunities of detecting the 

 bird in its depredations. Now, who has ever seen the starling in the 

 absolute act of plundering a nest ? It builds its nest here, in company 

 with the ringdove, the robin, the greenfinch, the wagtail, the jackdaw, 

 the chaffinch, and the owl, but it never touches their eggs. Indeed, 

 if it were in the habit of annoying its immediate neighbours, upon so 

 tender a point as that of sucking their eggs, there would soon be hue 

 and cry against it ; nor would the uproar cease until the victor had 

 driven away the vanquished. So certain am I that the starling never 

 sucks the eggs of other birds, that, when I see him approach the dove- 

 cot, I often say to him, " Go in, poor bird, and take thy rest in peace. 

 Not a servant of mine shall surprise thee, or hurt a feather of thy head. 

 Thou dost not come for eggs, but for protection ; and this most freely 

 I will give to thee. I will be thy friend in spite of all the world has said 

 against thee ; and here, at least, thou shall find a place of safety for 

 thyself and little ones. Thy innocence and usefulness demand this 

 at my hands." 



The starling is gregarious ; and I am satisfied in my own mind 

 that the congregated masses of this bird are only dissolved at the 

 vernal equinox, because they have not sufficient opportunities 

 afforded them of places wherein to build their nests. If those 

 opportunities were offered them, we should see them breeding here 



