STARLING. 167 



LVSESSORES. STURNIDJE. 



CONIROSTRES. 



PLATE CXXIL 



STARLING. 



Sturnus vulgaris. 



The Starling is an inhabitant of most of the countries 

 of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in almost all is common 

 and plentiful. It is found from the Cape of Good Hope to 

 Siberia ; and from Italy to Norway and Sweden, ranging as 

 far north as Iceland. 



The Starling most abounds in level countries, where woods, 

 meadows, and corn-fields are intermingled, and where water 

 is at hand. After the breeding-season they are seen in large 

 flocks on fresh-mown grass-fields, among cattle, near the 

 grassy banks of rivers, and particularly in places where rushes 

 abound, to which they are very partial as roosting places, and 

 whither they return every evening from miles distant. 



On the continent of Europe Starlings leave the northern 

 parts for the more southern in winter, and migrate in very 

 large flocks by daylight. They begin to travel south about 

 October, and return in March, in much reduced numbers ; 

 before migrating southward they assemble for several nights 

 in a neighbouring swamp or marsh, abounding in rushes, and 

 on a sudden fly away, several thousands in number. 



The Starling is a very shy, but lively and sociable bird, 

 generally seen in companies, not only of its own species, but 

 of rooks, jackdaws, and even wild pigeons, redwings, field- 



