File:Stories about birds of land and water (1874) (14564405707).jpg

Identifier: storiesaboutbird00kirb (find matches)
Title: Stories about birds of land and water
Year: 1874 (1870s)
Authors: Kirby, Mary, 1817-1893 Kirby, Elizabeth, 1823-1873
Subjects: Birds -- Juvenile literature
Publisher: Hartford (Conn.) : American Publishing Co.
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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n they feed with the rooks, and pick up worms in the field. The nestis made in the eaves of a church steeple, or in holes in walls and ruins. Itis built of straw and roots, or dry grass, and the eggs are a delicate paleblue colour. In the fenny parts of England, the young birds, when they are too largefor the nests, roost among the reeds and bushes in the swampy-likc districtsof the country by thousands. The reeds are quite crushed down by theirweight, and beaten to the surface of the water as if there had been a storm. Along the rocky shores of the Hebrides, the starlings arc found in greatnumbers. Early in the morning they are seen coming from their safe retreats no STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. in the rocks and cliffs, and making their way to the fields and meadows.They are fond of the farmyards and the folds where the cattle are shut up atnight, and they may be seen perched on the wall, or on the backs of the cowsand horses, or else searching on the ground for insects and worms. They u:Wf2
Text Appearing After Image:
THE ROSE STARLING. keep in flocks, and fly in a compact body. When they alight on a meadowthey disperse and run nimbly along, hunting for food. They dig up the wormor grub in the same manner that the crow docs. All the time some of theparty keep up a chattering noise, and now and then a little scream is heard.This is the note of alarm, and the starlings look up, and often fly away asfast as they can. In sunny weather they may be seen on the top of a wall, THE STARLING, III singing, in a low but sweet voice, a song that is not, of course, equal to that ofthe thrush, but when performed in concert is very agreeable. The rose starling is only seen in this country at rare intervals. He is

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