STU RNUS V U LGARI S, Linn.
Starling.

Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. Faun. Suec., De

varius, Wolf & Meyer, Taschenb. Deutschl. Vog., tom. i. p. 208.
—— solitarius, Leach, Syst. Cat. of Indig. Mamm. and Birds in Brit. Mus.
—— guttatus, Macgill. Hist. Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 595.

Turdus solitarius, Gmel. edit. Linn. Syst. Nat., tom. i. p. 834 (young).

 

» p. 18 (young).

 

Tue distribution of the Starling over the British Islands is very general, but it is more plentiful in some
counties than in others. The northern position of the Orkneys and Hebrides does not deter it from breed-
ing there almost as abundantly as in some parts of Scotland, England, and Ireland. In selecting a site for the
purpose of incubation it confides in the poor as well as the rich for protection during the performance of
that important duty, making itself equally at home among the castellated towers of the Sovereign and on
the tiled roof of the humblest cottager. It also builds its carelessly constructed nest- under the eaves of
churches, in the rain-pipes of the wayside inn and other country-houses, in decayed walnut-trees, in the
deserted holes of Woodpeckers, or in the precipitous sides of a chalk-pit. On a summer morning, Starlings
may often be seen perched, sentinel-like, on the crown of a weather-cock or on the letters indicating the
points of the compass ; later in the day they may be found among the cattle in the field, or sitting on the backs
of sheep in the pasture. In winter such situations are partially, if not wholly, deserted, and both old and
young are flocked together and engaged in seeking their daily food in the field, the meadow, and on the sea-
shore; in the evening these flocks form assemblages so vast that, were I to attempt to estimate the number
of birds comprised in any one of them, I should be considered to be dealing in the marvellous ; I therefore
leave such assertions as will be found hereafter to others, remarking at the same time that I fully believe
them to be correct. In England many wonderful sights in connexion with the congregating of birds may
be seen by visiting their places of incubation, their banquetings and evening meetings. The number of
Rooks at Tregothnan, spoken of in my history of that bird, of Rock-birds at Handa and St. Kilda, of Gannets
on the Bass Rock, or the Crag of Ailsa, are as nothing compared to the prodigious assem blages of Starlings
at their roosting-places on a December evening in many parts of England. These social gatherings have
been very fully described by many British authors; and some of their accounts are given below. Besides
being generally dispersed over the British Islands, the. Starling is also found in all parts of Europe, from
Lapland to the shores of the Mediterranean, but is more numerous in Holland and similar low countries
than in mountainous ones. I question if it be not an inhabitant of Africa, from north to south; of its
northern half it certainly is, and also of Madeira, the Canaries, and the Azores. I believe that it also fre-
quents many parts of India. In the temperate portions of Russia, in Amoorland, China, and Japan our
veritable Starling is likewise said to occur. A lengthy chapter might be written on the changes of plumage
which the bird undergoes between youth and maturity. The transformations may be termed wonderful; for
so different is the youthful state from that of the adult that the young bird has been described as distinct
under the name of the Solitary Thrush (Zurdus solitarius). The uniform brown plumage which led to this
error, however, is retained but for a short period, a month or so at furthest from the time it leaves the nest.

The second moult, which is complete before autumn arrives, is characterized by the feathers being spotted
and truly beautiful are the birds at this period. This plumage, with a

with white on a blackish ground ;
, as I have had abundant proofs from numerous speci-

purplish black beak, is carried over the ensuing year

mens I have killed in the second summer of their existence, when they certainly do not breed, and frequently

remain flocked together when the old yellow-billed and brilliantly coloured birds are carrying on the task of
5

incubation.

The flight of the Starling is straight and vigorous ; J
dipping, and turning with rapidity and ease. These movements would
’ 5 = d

and when a flock is sporting in the air, they perform
many graceful evolutions, sweeping oe
ash of wings, and the utmost confusion would be the result, while:
: 2 . . e

arity—the dark cloud of birds instantly changing thei"
On the ground the Starling is quick and nimble

tuft of grass and every crevice

appear to be preconcerted ; for otherwise a cl
on the contrary, they are performed with the utmost regul
position by a concerted plan, only known to themselves. a
in all its actions ; pert and inquisitive, it turns its head and pries into every se mee
or hole in which insects or their larve are likely to be found. When a flock visits the mead or waste, it

t of the field to another; those foremost in the :
and pitching in front, until the whole field

7 yan finding abundance of food, and
moves quickly from one par

leaving little behind them, the hinder birds are constantly rising,

armer > sbé an, and the country at
good they must do the farmer, the husbandman y

has been examined ; and the amount of