64. TREATISE ON 



derable length." It is also asserted that the kings 

 of Persia had starlings trained to hunt butterflies. 

 Starlings are found in great number from Nor- 

 way to Siberia. Vast flocks of them assemble, on 

 the approach of winter, to migrate southward, and 

 have been traced to the Crimea, Natolia, and 

 Egypt ; but in the temperate countries of Europe 

 they are stationary. According to Montagu, how- 

 ever, they migrate partially. He says, " We have 

 observed continued flights of those birds going 

 westward, into Devonshu'e and Cornwall, in liard 

 weather, and returning eastward as the frost 

 breaks up." — " But the vast flocks (says the same 

 author,) that are seen in severe winters, probably 

 migrate to this country in search of food, and re- 

 turn northward in the spring." Bewick mentions, 

 that, in the winter season, these bii'ds fly in large 

 flocks, and may be known at a distance by their 

 whirling mode of flight, which Buffon compares to 

 a vortex. Another author remarks, that they have 

 a peculiar manner of flying, which appears to be 

 directed by a uniform and regular system of tac- 

 tics, and that each bird keeps constantly approach- 

 ing the centre of the flock, wliile the rapidity of 

 its flight carries it beyond it. Thus, this multi- 

 tude of birds, united by one common tendency to- 



