8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



There was a gradual increase in the number of birds 

 frequenting the island from the middle of July onwards, and 

 by the end of September the colony was again very large. 

 During the month of October the numbers still increased, 

 and at the end of the month I think the Starlings were more 

 numerous than in any previous season. 



On the I 2th of November a very severe gale blew from 

 the east. As the woods of Dalmeny abound in sheltered 

 nooks where the rhododendron bushes offered a secure re- 

 treat, it would naturally be supposed that the Starlings would 

 not have left the mainland to face the storm. The homing 

 instinct, however, proved too strong, and though they were 

 forced to rest for a time on a strip of bent grass near Long- 

 green, the Starlings crossed to the island as usual. On the 

 morning of the I3th the gale had somewhat moderated, but 

 it was still blowing very strong. I was out along the sea- 

 shore and kept a watch for the Starlings. They rose from 

 the island at 7.35 A.M., and with the wind at their back they 

 came across at a record speed, travelling, according to my 

 estimate, at 98.18 miles per hour. On the morning of the 

 1 9th November the wind blew almost a gale from the west, 

 and I had an opportunity of ascertaining the rate of flight 

 of the Starlings under adverse conditions, i.e. a head wind. 

 They took 3 minutes 10 seconds to cross, equal to the rate 

 of 28.47 miles per hour. Flying low, almost touching the 

 water, they glided upwards when they reached the shore, 

 passing directly over my head almost within reach of my 

 hands. 



On Saturday the 23rd November I visited the roost 

 with Mr. Hogg, the farmer tenant. He confirmed my 

 opinion that the number of Starlings frequenting the island 

 this year was larger than at any time previous. It was 

 about 4.30 when I reached the edge of the wood and the 

 birds had nearly all arrived, but small flocks still continued 

 to drop down. The entire plantation was simply alive with 

 birds, and in the bright moonlight I could see them clustered 

 close together on the trees. The whole body of Starlings 

 kept up a continuous chatter, very pleasant to listen to, and 

 which could be heard a long way off. 



From the hamlet of Longgreen, which has been my 



