A GREEDY BIRD.
I hate to record the sins of any bird, for all have virtues, even in regard to man ; but if, as Meredith said in another connexion, the flame of their soul burns upwards, we must nevertheless "allow for atmospheric variation." Such varia- tion from upright dealing must be chronicled of the starlings. They are proving desperate robbers ; and more than that In the bird sanctuary at Whipsnade—the first part of the New Zoo to be equipped—the starlings have proved desper- ately greedy of nesting sites. Last year they took over 60 per cent. ; and this year in the minor sanctuary of many a garden they have driven all other birds away from boxes that had bigger front doors. [More than this : they are making life unbearable for several members of the swallow tribe.
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