It builds a loofc ncfl: compofed of dry grafs, and lays five 

 or fix light blue eggs ; the neft is ufually placed under the 

 roofs of extenfive buildings, fometimes in holes in ruined 

 walls, and lefs frequently in hollow trees. Its flight is regu- 

 lar, in the winter feafon it migrates from the more northern 

 parts of Europe, but generally retires on the break-up of the 

 froft ; when in flock thefe birds fly in circles, ftill continuing 

 to make progreffive advancement. 



Except in the breeding feafon, it ufually roofl:s in marflies, 

 before fitting down for the night, the whole body fly round 

 the fpot for a confiderable time, and they all alight in an 

 inflant, after which for a fhort time they continue to make a 

 chattering noife, which alfo ceafes very fuddenly, and no 

 more is heard of them unlefs diflurbed ; to guard againfl: fur- 

 prife one is ufually placed on an eminence to give alarm, 

 which it does by a particular note, on hearing of which, the 

 whole flock immediately take wing and but feldom return for 

 fome days to the place where they have been roufed. 



Provincial names, Stare, Chepfter, and Chep-Starling. 



Our figure was executed for the late William Curtis. 



^1 



