216 
STURNIDiE. 
INSESSORES. STURNIDJE. 
CONIROSTRES. 
STARLING. 
Sturnus vulgaris. 
PLATE LV. FIG. I. 
The Starling is an early breeder, and repairs to its 
accustomed haunts at the end of March, or beginning of 
April, to commence nidification. It builds its nest of 
dry grass, in the holes of trees, church steeples, ruins, 
old walls, and in dwelling houses, in cliffs by the sea- 
coast, and not unfrequently in dove-cotes, and is in 
consequence accused of sucking the pigeon's eggs. The 
female lays four or five eggs, differing a little in size. 
The most extraordinary assemblage of birds I have 
ever witnessed, is the gathering of Starlings at Kings- 
weston, near Bristol, mentioned by Mr. Yarrell. I have 
seen more birds at one time at several of the breeding 
places on the sea-coast, but never beheld so many of 
one species together. An immense body of Starlings 
make their roosting-place in the beautiful evergreen 
plantations, the property of Mr. Miles, and it is a 
sight well worth seeing to watch them arriving in 
an evening in dense and compact companies, each many 
thousand strong. It is strange, too, to hear the con¬ 
fused uproar raised by their noisy squabbles as they 
perch themselves for the night. You have only to call 
to mind the din occasioned by a dozen sparrows at 
bed-time, to have a slight notion of the noise and cla¬ 
mour of a great many thousand Starlings. 
