RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



ponent parts form one rich, wild, varied, and beautiful 

 whole. The Starling also claims rank as a perennial 

 songster, for his tuneful warblings are heard, like those 

 of the Robin and Wren, throughout the year. 



The year rolls on ; every available hole is secured 

 and zealously guarded by its watchful owners, and the 

 Starling must see about the construction of its rude 

 abode. Under the eaves of our dwellings, in old walls 

 and ruined ivy-mantled towers, and in the holes of the 

 forest trees, all prove acceptable to the Starling. Should 

 the reader wish, if suitably situated, to encourage these 

 birds around him in the nesting season, he need only 

 place several small boxes, with a hole in their sides for 

 the entrance of the birds, in the trees near at hand, or 

 fasten them to the walls of his dwelling, and the Star- 

 lings will invariably take possession of them. The nest 

 of the Starling is a very slovenly structure, composed of 

 straws, grass, and a few feathers; even -rags, twine, or 

 paper will be utilised, if conveniently near at hand. 

 But nevertheless the nest itself is small, and forms a com- 

 pact bed for the eggs, which are four or five in number, 

 and very beautiful, being of a clear greenish-blue, entirely 

 devoid of markings. They are as a rule very elongated, 

 but some few specimens are almost round. We often 

 find eggs of the Starling laid in grass fields frequented 

 by the birds, and these eggs are very often quite puzzling 

 to the young naturalist, who is at a loss to identify them. 

 The simple reason why we find these eggs here is be- 

 cause the birds have not sufficient time to gain their 

 nest for the purpose, and it also clearly proves that 

 birds have not the power of withholding their eggs. The 

 young Starlings are very noisy bijds, especially when 

 their parents enter the hole with food. Such a chorus 

 of cries, and what a number of hungry little beaks are 



