European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

The European Starling, an Almanac

• The European Starling has a bad name in the salt marsh and a worse one in Widow's Reach.
• Best leave the last of the corn where the European Starling can watch it.
• It was once gravely held that to see one come off the notch is to expect visitors by haying time.
• Folks down the salt marsh hold that no good comes of the European Starling that calls thrice over the churchyard fence.
• The Society has lately concluded, to no small controversy, that the specimen weighs less than the soul it is said to bear, from which much may be inferred.

Folklore, invented on the spot — not to be believed.