THE STARLING. 
293 
siderable time ; then all at once drop into their places ; there are several of these 
large bodies, but the largest seems to come from the direction of Lucan. After this 
detachment (the last of the large ones) has located itself, stragglers only appear, and 
they come in as long as light enough remains for us to see them. It is most curious 
to observe starlings in this case, though so very wary in others, placing themselves 
absolutely within reach of persons walking under the trees ; and it is perhaps not 
less striking, that not one in one hundred of these persons seems to notice them. 
Great care has been taken to prevent any undue disturbance of the birds in this rest- 
ing-place, and it is hoped that any person induced by this statement to observe their 
roosting, will not molest them. The entire silence of the starlings strongly contrasts 
with the ceaseless noise of a comparatively small number of sparrows, which congre- 
gate to sleep in some trees near the bear-pit. A number of blackbirds roost in another 
part, but they are as nothing compared with the starlings. Fieldfares congregate 
somewhere near the Viceregal Lodge, it is believed, as they may be observed, flying 
close to the ground in that direction from various sides, while the starlings are soaring 
on high towards the Zoological Garden. It is probable that the starlings come from 
a very great distance to their roosting places ; as it would seem to require a very 
large circuit to supply the enormous number which congregate in the gardens during 
the early part of this month.” Mr. Ball has informed me, that since the starlings 
came in such numbers to the Zoological Garden, the Blackbirds there have congre- 
gated to roost, and that he has seen about fifty together on one tree. Mr. Smith 
O’Brien, M. P., has told him of a similar starling-roost near his residence, in the 
county of Limerick, where the number of birds was so immense as greatly to injure 
the trees on which they perched. 
It is most entertaining to witness starlings feeding, so very 
active and lively are all their movements ; not one moment are 
they still, and well may it be so, for truly they are omnivorous. 
The contents of the stomachs of starlings often show, that a great deal of life of 
various kinds is sacrificed to their appetite, and in quantity, as well as variety of 
food consumed, they exceed all birds that have come under my observation. From my 
notes a few examples may be selected. Dec. 17, 1834. — A starling was found to 
contain five perfect and full-grown specimens of Bulimus lubricus , and a Helix radia- 
tula ; some minute Coleoptera, especially dung-beetles, and numerous insect larvae ; 
a blade of grass, a few grains of oats, and fragments of gravel. 
March 12, 1835. — On opening a starling, thirteen specimens of Bulimus lubricus 
and two Helices, together with perfect Coleoptera of ditferent species, and numerous 
larvae, were observed. 
Dec. 29, 1835. — The stomach of a starling was filled with insects of various kinds, 
or indeed families, but chiefly Coleoptera, some grain, and the following shells : — 
twelve perfect adult specimens of Helix radiatula, a H. cellaria, and a II. hispida, 
(both whole and of ordinary size) ; with twelve examples of Bulimus lubricus nearly 
all adult and perfect. 
Nov. 25, 1836. — Nine starlings examined, contained only the remains of insect 
