FIGHT OF STARLINGS. 245 
“< One evening,” said he, “‘ when 1 was at 
a friend’s house in Yorkshire, last autumn, 
there were such immense numbers of these 
birds, which had sought sustenance by day 
in the neighbouring marshes, and at night 
came to roost in his trees, that at length 
there was not room for the accommodation 
of the whole ; and the consequence was, that 
it became a matter of necessity that a sepa- 
ration should take place, a part going to 
other quarters, and a remainder keeping 
possession. If I might judge, however, 
from the conflicting arguments which their 
confused chattering seemed to indicate, the 
decision was by no means relished by those 
whose lot it was to depart; nevertheless, a 
separation did take place, though the exiles 
did not go without making trial of the fate 
of arms. Individual birds, like heralds in 
arniies, flew here and there ; unceasing voices 
gave dreadful note of preparation; and, at 
length, both sides took flight at the same in- 
stant. The whirring sound of their united 
wings was perfectly deafening; and, when 
both parties had attained a great height in 
the air, the two forces clashed together with 
Y 3 
