THE OWL. G47 
of mutual strangers, that my great battle 
was fought. The war must spring in the 
actual want of space for the two parties to- 
gether; for there is no creature which is 
more fond of numerous, and even mixed, so- 
ciety, than the Common Starling. Not only 
does it assemble in large flocks of its own 
species, and continually cluster upon all oc- 
casions, but it joins birds of many different 
kinds, as the Redwing and Fieldfare, and 
even Owls, Jackdaws, and Pigeons. It is 
a bird of very interesting manners, as well 
as very beautifully feathered. The Brown 
Starling, or Solitary Thrush, is a bird of 
very different habits from those of the for- 
mer; though even this, in spite of its name, 
loves to be united in small flocks.” 
Oh iccried. Jane; “Y you say that’ the 
Starlings join with the Owls! So would I 
if they were all Butterfiy Owls, like the 
little one, from Brazil, inthe Museum. But 
let us look at the great Owls, here, in the 
Garden. I wish there was a specimen of the 
Hawk Owl, from New Holland, which, they 
say, the natives talk to, and try to learn their 
