412 



8 



"At first they might be seen advancing high in the air, like a dark cloud, which in an 

 instant, as if by magic, became almost invisible, the whole body, by some mysterious watchword 

 or signal, changing their course, and presenting their wings to view edgeways, instead of 

 exposing, as before, their full expanded spread. Again, in another moment, the cloud might 

 be seen descending in a graceful sweep, so as almost to brush the earth as they glanced along. 

 Then once more they were seen spiring in wide circles on high, till at length, with one 

 simultaneous rush, down they glide with a roaring noise of wing till the vast mass buries 

 itself unseen, but not unheard, amidst a bed of reeds projecting from the bank adjacent to the 

 wood; for no sooner were they perched, than every throat seemed to open itself, forming one 

 incessant confusion of tongues. 



" If nothing disturbed them, there they would most likely remain ; but if a stone was 

 thrown, a shout raised, or more especially if a gun was fired, up again would rise the mass, 

 with one unbroken rushing sound, as if the whole body were possessed but of one wing to bear 

 them on their upward flight. In the fens of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire, where reeds are 

 of considerable value for various purposes, the mischief they occasion is very considerable, by 

 bearing down and breaking them, as many as can find a grasping hold clinging to the same 

 slender stem, which, of course, bends and plunges them in the water, from whence they rise to 

 join some other neighbours, whose reed is still able to bear their weight. This perpetual 

 jostling and breaking down is the probable cause of the incessant clatter, which continues for 

 a considerable time — indeed, till ail have procured dry beds and a firm footing. 



" It has been remarked that the flights of these birds have of late years much diminished, 

 a fact to which we can speak from our own experience ; for the assemblages which we have just 

 described as forming so interesting a feature in autumnal evening walks, have long ago ceased, 

 and it is now a rare thing to see a passing flock of even fifty where, in years gone by, they 

 mustered in myriads." 



The Starling builds its nest in the hollow of a tree, under the eaves of a roof, or in any 

 convenient hole in an old wall or amongst old ruins. According to Macgillivray, in the Hebrides 

 they select suitable spots in the crevices of rocks, in caverns, or under large blocks, in situations 

 as inaccessible as possible. " I have found them," he says, " also in large winding holes in grassy 

 banks on an unfrequented islet, which I conjectured to have been originally formed by rats and 

 afterwards enlarged by the Starlings. It appears, however, that they also dig holes for them- 

 selves on the grassy shelves of the rocks." The nest of the Starling is usually a somewhat bulky 

 structure, and is constructed of grass, and sometimes roots, and lined with feathers and hair. 

 Late in April or early in May from four to six eggs are deposited. These latter are somewhat 

 elongated, oval in shape, and in colour delicate pale blue, with a greenish tinge, the surface of 

 the shell being exceedingly glossy ; in size they measure from l^o by f § to 1-^- by f^ inch. 



As a cage-bird the Starling is easily domesticated, and soon learns to articulate words and 

 whistle tunes. Baron E. Konig Warthausen gives (J. f. O. 1870, p. 65) some interesting details 

 respecting a singing and talking Starling which lived in 1582, and which sang and spoke in Ger- 

 man and Polish, and had given itself a name in the latter language. Albinoes and partial albinoes 

 are not very uncommon amongst Starlings ; and I am indebted to Mr. E. Hargitt for the loan of 

 two, one of which is pure white, and the other dull pale cream-coloured with indistinct spots. 



