212 
STARLINGS. 
without a notch at its extremity, it may he decidedly placed 
amongst the conirostral tribe. 1 
Of some birds it is difficult, from their retired habits, to I 
give any clear and accurate account. Not so of our friend 
the Starling. When it suits his purpose, he comes fearlessly 
under our observation, and invites us to learn his history. 
For many and many a year have we watched him from 
month to month, with the exception of a certain season, when, 
for reasons best known to himself, he altogether disappears, * 
and leaves us to wonder what is become of him. 
Close before the window of our scene of observation, a 
well-mown short-grassed lawn is spread before him — it is his 
dining-room ; there in the Spring he is allowed to revel, but 
seldom molested, on the plentiful supply of worms, which he 
collects pretty much in the same manner as the Thrush, } 
already described. Close at hand, within half a stone’s 
throw, stands an ivy-mantled parish church, with its massy 
grey tower, from the turreted pinnacle of which rises a tall j 
flag-staff, crowned by its weather-cock ; under the eaves, and \ 
within the hollows and chinks of the masonry of this tower 
are his nursery establishments. On the battlements and 
projecting grotesque tracery of its Gothic ornaments he re- 
tires to enjoy himself, looking down on the rural world below ; 
while, at other times, a still more elevated party will crowd 
together on the letters of the weathercock, or, accustomed to 
its motion, sociably twitter away their chattering song, as the 
vane creaks slowly round with every change of wind. 
We will give a journal of our Starling’s lives. At the 
close of January, one or two unconnected birds now and then 
make their appearance on this weathercock ; at first but for 
a few minutes, as if without an assignable reason they had 
merely touched upon it as an inviting resting-place, in their ! 
unsettled course. In February, if the weather happens to be 
mild, the number of idlers may possibly now and then in- 
crease ; but still the visit seems to be but the mere passing 
call of a few strangers, without a leading object. In March, 
however, about the first or second week, according to the state 
of the weather, things begin to assume a more bustling and 
