Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 4 (1900).djvu/169

Rh supposition also accounts for the presence of a small number of birds at the roost, even during the breeding season—a fact alluded to at the end of the description of the roost at Moreton Corbet.

With reference to the migrations of the Starlings that leave us, we seldom witness the actual departure, and still more seldom see their return; but this is not singular—we may say the same of all inland migrations. On the coasts the departures and arrivals are much more evident. Mr. D.H. Meares saw, on one occasion, several thousand Starlings roosting on the ground in a ploughed field close to Shawbury village; he supposed that they were preparing for a night flight. In returning to their inland quarters in spring, the birds arrive on our coasts in large numbers, but, after resting awhile, they continue their flight in such small bodies that they are not noticed.

The Starlings which remain here through the winter, in company with Peewits and Rooks, exhibit a tendency to break up into gradually smaller and smaller parties. Towards the end of February many pairs are to be found at their old breeding haunts. At this period the Peewits still keep together in large flocks, not pairing off till March; by that time their attendant Starlings have deserted them.