IX. 



STURNUS VULGARIS, (linn.) 

 Starling or Stare, Chep-Starlino, &c. 



The Starling is too well known to need much description. 

 It is an early breeder, and repairs to its accustomed haunts 

 at the end of March or beginning of April, to commence ni- 

 dification. It builds its nest of dried grass, in the holes of 

 trees, church-steeples, ruins, old walls, and in cliffs by the 

 sea- coast, and not unfrequently in dove-cotes, and is, in con- 

 sequence, accused of sucking the Pigeon's eggs. Whether 

 this is the case, I am not able to say, but Montague very 

 much doubts the fact. The female lays four or five eggs, dif- 

 fering sometimes a little in size. 



