STARLINGS. 
3 
which, rises a tall 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 retires 
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 wea- 
ther-cock, 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 Starlings' lives. 
At the close of January, one or two unconnected 
birds, now and then make their appearance on this 
weather-cock; 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 hap- 
pens to be mild, the number of idlers may possibly 
now and then increase ; 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 serious appearance. Hitherto but one 
or two, or at most three or four, may have dropt in, 
as if to say, Here we are, the winter is past and gone, 
a happier season is at hand. But now the flights 
increase, the three and the four are multiplied to 
fourteen or sixteen, and the song becomes a little 
chorus, more loud and more joyous than before; and 
occasionally, though at first with some circum- 
spection and hesitation, one or two of the boldest 
