80 SINGING BIRDS. 
Florida ; so that in some degree, like the Jays and the legiti- 
mate Starlings, they partially migrate in quest of food during 
the severity of the weather in the colder States. It is not, how- 
ever, improbable but that most of the migrating families of these 
birds, which we find at this season, have merely travelled east- 
ward from the cold Western plains that are annually covered 
with snow. They are now seen in considerable numbers in and 
round the salt-marshes, roving about in flocks of ten to thirty 
or more, seeking the shelter of the sea-coast, though not in 
such dense flocks as the true Starlings ; these, in the manner of 
our common Blackbirds, assemble in winter like dark clouds, 
moving as one body, and when about to descend, perform pro- 
gressive circular evolutions in the air like a phalanx in the 
order of battle ; and when settled, blacken the earth with their 
numbers, as well as stun the ears with their chatter. Like 
Crows also, they seek the shelter of reed-marshes to pass the 
night, and in the day take the benefit of every sunny and shel- 
tered covert. 
Our Starling, like the American Quail, is sociable, and some- 
what gregarious; and though many, no doubt, wander some 
distance after food, yet a few, in Pennsylvania as well as in 
this rigorous climate, may be seen in the market after the 
ground is covered with snow. Wilson even observed them 
in the month of February, during a deep snow, among the 
heights of the Alleghanies, gleaning their scanty pittance on 
the road, in company with the small Snow Birds. 
The flesh of our bird is white, and for size and delicacy it is 
considered little inferior to the Partridge ; but that of the Euro- 
pean species is black and bitter. 
The flight of these Larks is laborious and steady, like that 
of the Quail, with the action of the wings renewed at short in- 
tervals. They often alight on trees, and select usually the main 
branches or topmost twigs on which to perch, though their food 
is commonly collected from the ground. At various times of 
the day, and nearly through the winter, in the milder States, 
their very peculiar lisping, long, and rather melancholy note is 
heard at short intervals ; and without the variations, which are 
