2 
STARLINGS* 
placed among tlie crenirostral birds, inasmuch as 
the point of its upper mandible is slightly notched; 
but we mention the Starling as the best known, the 
Oriole, or Golden-Thrush, being a bird of great 
rarity in this country, though, when once seen, it 
cannot fail of being recognised and remembered, the 
whole plumage, with the exception of the wings and 
tail, being of a bright orange or golden colour. 
The Starling, although closely resembling the 
Thrush and Blackbird in some respects, differs from 
them essentially in others; and as its beak, on ex- 
amination, will be found to be without a notch at its 
extremity, it may be decidedly placed amongst the 
conirostral tribe. 
Of some birds it is difficult, from their retired 
habits, to 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 dis- 
appears, and leaves us to wonder what is become of 
him. 
Close before the window of our scene of observa- 
tion, 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 
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