139 
THE STARLING, OR STARE. 
The starling (sturnus vulgaris) breeds with us, as, in 
most villages in England. Towards autumn the broods 
unite, and form large flocks; but those prodigious 
flights, with which, in some particular years, we are 
visited, especially in parts of those districts formerly 
called the “ fen counties,” are probably an accumulation 
from foreign countries. We have seldom more than a 
pair, or two, which nestle under the tiling of an old 
house, in the tower of the church, the deserted hole of 
the wood-pecker, or some such inaccessible place. The 
flights probably migrate to this country alone, as few 
birds could travel long, and continue such a rapid mo- 
tion as the starling. The Royston crow, the only mi- 
grating bird with which it forms an intimate association, 
is infinitely too heavy of wing to have journeyed with 
the stare. The delight of these birds in society is a 
predominant character ; and to feed they will associate 
with the rook, the pigeon, or the daw ; and sometimes, 
but not cordially, with the fieldfare : but they chiefly 
roost with their own families, preferring some reedy, 
marshy situation. These social birds are rarely seen 
alone, and should any accident separate an individual 
from the companions of its flight, it will sit disconsolate 
on an eminence, piping and plaining, till some one of 
its congeners join it. Even in small parties they keep 
continually calling and inviting associates to them, with 
a fine clear note, that, in particular states of the air, 
may be heard at a considerable distance. This love of 
society seems to be innate ; for I remember one poor 
bird, that had escaped from domestication, in which it 
had entirely lost, or probably never knew, the language 
or manners of its race, and acquired only the name of 
its mistress ; disliked and avoided by its congeners, it 
would sit by the hour together, sunning on some tall 
elm, calling in a most plaintive strain, Nanny, Nanny, 
but no Nanny came ; and our poor solitary either pined 
itself to death, or was killed, as its note ceased. They 
vastly delight, in a bright autumnal morning, to sit 
basking and preening themselves on the summit of a 
tree, chattering all together in a low song-like 1 note. 
There is something singularly curious and mysterious 
