L 23 1 
STARLING. 
Defer ip t ion and Character, 
^THHE Starling is nearly as big as the Black- 
JL Bird > and in fhape very muck like that 
bird. It does not Ting naturally, but has a wild, 
fereaming, uncouth note ; yet, for his aptnefs 
in imitating man’s voice, and fpeaking articu- 
dateiy, and his learning to whiffle divers tunes, is 
highly valued as a very pleafant bird; and, when 
well, taught, will fell for five guineas or more. 
They are gregarious birds, living and flying 
together in great flocks : they company alfo with 
Red-Wings and Field-Fares ; yet they do not 
fly away with them, but abide with us all the 
year. 
Jll arks of the Cock and Hen. 
i here is a mark peculiar to the cock of this 
kind, whereby he may be known from the 
hen, whilft young. Under his tongue he has 
a black ftroke, very plain to befeen if you open 
his mouth, which the hen hath not, or, at lead 
fo faint, that it is hardly vifible ; but the flrll time 
the cock moults his feathers, he loies that black 
ftroke : lie may then be known from the hen 
