STARLING 79 
Britain is somewhat erratic, depending greatly on the 
weather. In the Scottish highlands, and probably in 
Shetland, a few breed, and the possibility of the nesting of 
the species in Kirkcudbrightshire has been suggested by 
Mr, Service, as it has been met with in every month of the 
year on the high mountains. It occurs commonly on the 
outlying Scottish islands in winter. 
STURNUS VULGARIS, Linn. STARLING. 
Manx, *7ruitlag (M.S. D.and Cr.). (Cf. Sc. Gaelic, Drucdeag ; 
Trish, Truid, Truideog, Druid, Druideag ; Welsh, Drudwy ; 
Breton, 7'red.) 
There can be no doubt that during the present genera- 
tion there has been a great increase in the numbers of this 
species, and especially in its distribution as a breeding bird. 
Although the Starling now nests all over Man wherever 
there are houses and cultivated land, it is likely that the 
birds constituting the great winter flocks are far more 
numerous than those which in summer are scattered among 
the towns, villages, and farmsteads to nest. The evolu- 
tions of these flocks ere they settle in some established 
roost for the night’s rest are of the most astonishing 
character, and, together with the sound of wings and voices 
with which they are performed, form a curious and 
attractive phenomenon of bird life. There is a Starling- 
roost among the trees of Lorn House, Castletown (once 
the residence of the Governor of the island, but now un- 
occupied), and during their performance the multitude of 
Starlings making use of this sweep down time after time 
upon the towers of Castle Rushen and the tall houses of the 
surrounding town, darkening the grey ramparts and roofs 
