STARLING SOLO
Each morning, between nine and ten o'clock, and in the afternoons from three until abobt four, for the past ten days or so, 1 have been entertained by a starling that perches in a small elm tree outside my window where he proceeds to pipe, using all the variations that starlings pick up from better songsters. The leaves of the elm are yellowing and thinning out, and from the window, on the same level, I am able to see that the starling on each occasion chooses the same branch on which to sit and sing. The morning recital, whether the sun shines or not, is always more ardent than the song in the afternoon. Sometimes it looks as thpugh the starling is about to be over- come by the passion of his piping, but this is generally in the morning. In the aftemocin although the singing begins with the same ardour it trails away, as time passes, to a cluck- ing and crooning with intervals when the bird sits looking about. Sparrows and other star- lings use this tree at times, but the singer alone is present at those hours in the morning and afternoon. When the leaves have gone I fancy he will change his habits and, remain with his
brethren for. the whole of the day instead of singing in the elm.
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