BRITISH SONG-BIRDS. 65 



wards the same point, flying to and fro, and cross- 

 ing each other in every direction, form a kind of 

 agitated mass, which appears to perform a general 

 revolution round itself, resulting from the particu- 

 lar movement of each of its parts. This method 

 of flight is attended with advantages. It protects 

 the flock from bii'ds of prey, which, being embarass* 

 ed by numbers, incommoded by the flapping of 

 then' wings, and stunned by their cries, is frequent- 

 ly obliged to abandon the tempting booty, without 

 being able to snatch the smallest part. This maU'^ 

 ner of flight protects them fi*om the hawk; but 

 man profits by it, by means of limed lines. 



These birds often assemble in flocks, in marshy 

 places, to roost ; and the reeds are often much in-* 

 jin-ed by their weight. In Lincolnshire, quantities 

 of reeds are annually destroyed by them and ran* 

 dered unfit for being used as thatch. The starling 

 is injurious to the labours of the husbandman ; 

 yet his interest requires that they should be pre- 

 served, as they destroy vast numbers of pernicious 

 insects. Their food, in a wild state, consists of 

 snails, worms, grubs, beetles, and other insects ; 

 but they will likewise eat wheat, rye, hemp-seed, 

 elder-berries, cherries, pears, grapes, and currants. 



I 



