large is, in niy evStimation, immense, feeding, as they almost exclusively do, on wireworms, larvte of all 
kinds, grasshoppers, worms, flies, and insects generallv. 
It may fairly be asked if the vast hordes of this bird seen in autumn and winter are all natives of our 
islands, or are partly composed of accessions from the Continent. I have no hesitation in saying that the 
latter is the case, and that these winter visitants migrate again in spring to the countries they left in autumn ; 
the circumstance of numbers being killed by flying against the lighthouses on our coast tends to confirm 
such an opinion. When the Starlings are frozen out in the northern parts of the British Islands, as is 
frequently the case, they seek the warmer portions of Devon and Cornwall, and usually find shelter there ; 
but should those counties also be visited by rigorous weather, they die by hundreds. During my visit to 
Tregothnan, during the very severe month of January 1867, the Starlings perished in great numbers ; and 
every Missel Thrush and many of the Redwings and Fieldfares also fell victims to the rigours of the season. 
It was no unusual sight to see Starlings lying dead in tens or even twenties round the farmsteads, and 
in still greater numbers in the belfries of the churches in which they had sought shelter. It is not a little 
singular that, although the Starling is so abundant in Cornwall during the winter months, few, if any, stay to 
breed in that county. 
“From and after the autumnal migration, and all through the winter months,” says Mr. Rodd, “until the 
return movement in the spring we are visited in the west of England by vast flights of Starlings, which 
disperse in flocks of varying numbers over the open fields during the day, wheeling to and fro, from field to 
field, and occupying themselves in feeding until the approach of twilight, when they all unite in various-sized 
companies, and repair to their roosting-groimd, which, in the absence of plantations, is in osier-beds, rushy 
bottoms, amidst flags, sedges, 8cc. Where, however, as in this locality, at Trengivainton and Trevethoe, a 
few plantations of young firs, evergreens. See. are sparingly dispersed, it is a sight of no ordinary interest to 
see the almost uninterrupted stream of these birds pouring in from sunset to dusk, forming at last a 
countless mass which literally fills the plantation. When the day breaks, the birds disperse in small flocks 
in various directions until they again reunite in the evening. Previous to this grand assembly settling down 
to roost, they take wheeling flights round and round their haunts, sometimes presenting the appearance of a 
huge black cloud.” 
With reference to the immense flocks assembling in the ev^ening. Bishop Stanley says : — “ At first they 
might be seen advancing high in the air like a dark cloud, which in an instant, as if by magic, became 
almost invisible — the whole body, by some mysterious watchword or signal, changing their course and 
presenting their wings to view edgeways instead of exposing, as before, their full expanded spread. Again, 
in another moment, the cloud might be seen descending in a graceful sweep, so as almost to brush the earth 
as they glanced along; then once more they were seen spiring in wide circles on high, till at length, with 
one simultaneous rush, down they glided with a roaring noise of wing till the vast mass buried itself unseen, 
but not unheard, amidst a bed of reeds ; for no sooner were they perched than every throat seemed to open 
Itself, forming one incessant confusion of tongues.” 
“ Any traveller from Norwich on the Yarmouth line,” says Mr. Stevenson, “ on looking towards the 
river, near Brundall station, between seven and eight o’clock on a summer evening may see the Starlings 
making for Sarlingham bi-oad ; where in some places so great are the numbers that nightly assemble 
that the reeds are literally trampled down with their w^eight. To those at all Interested in the habits of 
birds, I know few sights more likely to excite wonder and admiration than the regular arrival of the Starlings 
from all quarters to any particular broad. Mr. J. G. Davey tells me, ‘ One night I watched a single 
flock, which appeared to extend over about Jive acres, as they were wheeling round, when another mass came 
from the south-west; I can form no estimate of the number; the former flock I considered large till these 
came ; they also circled round and joined the others. They settled down in the wood in two parties, and 
occupied about t/iirii/ acres.’ ” — Birds of Norfolk, vol. i. ])p. 249, 250, 251. 
Nuneham Park, near Oxford, is one of the roostiug-places of the Starling. The birds hav^e taken uj) a 
position in the fine Pinetum therein, adding nothing to the beauty or to the sweetness of that charming spot ; 
neA'ertheless the very estimable owner, the Rev. William Vernon-Harcourt, permits them to remain in peace. 
Probably the congregation which there assemble is formed by all the Starlings of that portion of the valley 
of the Thames and its tributaries. 
The Plate represents a male and a female in their breeding-plumage, with their hrood of young, all of the 
natural size. 
