714 
BIRD-LIFE. 
plains very common. This bird usually arrives with us 
about the middle of February, remaining until late 
autumn, often till November, when cold and scarcity of 
food generally drive it further south, though it is much 
too fond of home to migrate far. Many are found winter¬ 
ing in Southern Germany; the larger portion, however, 
remaining in Southern Europe. A few stop in Central 
Germany, if the winter is mild. 
The first thing that the Starling sets about after its 
return home is to hunt up its old quarters, where, 
perched high on some prominent branch, it bursts forth 
with a ringing jubilee. • The very next morning after its 
arrival it seems already quite at home, and slips in and 
out of its box, or nest-hole in some hollow tree, as 
though it had quitted it but yesterday. One may watch 
it for hours together with unwearied pleasure, for it 
always appears trustful, cautious, joyous, active, pleasing, 
and comical,—one and all at the same time. When on 
the ground it runs rapidly hither and thither, never 
remaining still for a moment, and in front of its nest it 
is incessantly hopping from one branch to another. Its 
flight is light and quick, and is accomplished without 
any very rapid motion of the wings. It generally flies, 
with others of its species, in large bands and for some 
distance. In the early morning each pair perches in 
the neighbourhood of the nest, and the male sings his 
ditty; in the middle of the day they go out to feed, but 
towards evening they assemble together in flocks of from 
three to fifty individuals, clustering on high trees, or the 
vanes and pinnacles of church-towers, and singing in 
company till the sun is nearly down. While thus 
performing they inflate their throats, and flutter their 
wings with a tremulous motion, as though they intended 
