STARLINGS. 
5 
tering cries, according as they think they are watched 
or not. They are cunning birds, and discover in an 
instant, whether a passer by has an eye to their 
movements, and perfectly aware whether he is fol- 
lowing his own business or theirs. If he steps on- 
wards, without troubling himself about them, they 
go in and out with perfect unconcern; hut if a glance 
of curiosity or observation is directed to their mo- 
tions, they are all upon the alert ; the hearer of a 
tuft to the nest, wheels to the right about, and 
perching on the naked upper twig of a small beech- 
tree, or the projecting point of a gable-end, sits there, 
uttering a particular note, which seems to give, as 
well as words could do, intimation to a mate to he 
on its guard, as a spy is at hand. If the weather is 
tolerably favourable, everything goes on smoothly 
and regularly; hut, (and we have, in the journal of 
our Starlings’ proceedings, many instances on record,) 
should a severe and sudden change occur, a violent 
storm of snow, or continuance of chilling winds, all 
operations are suspended; not only the eaves, and 
half-built nests, hut even the tower itself, battle- 
ments, weather-cock, and all, are deserted, till a re- 
turn of fine weather, when the Starlings, too, return, 
and the work again proceeds. At length, the nests 
are built, the eggs laid, and the young ones hatched. 
Then a new scene of noise, and activity, and bustle 
commences, increasing, of course, as the nestlings 
become older, and more voracious. Then it is that 
the lawn becomes a favourite resort ; hitherto, a few 
idlers may have hopped and pecked up a stray worm 
or two, but now the search is a matter of serious 
occupation. 
