THE STARLING ROOST ON CRAMOND ISLAND 3 



the southern slope of the island is a small plantation of 

 dwarf Scotch firs surrounded by a stone wall. 



For some years back this plantation has been the 

 roosting- place of great flocks of Starlings. It was not, 

 however, until the autumn of 1899 that they began to 

 excite general attention and interest in the neighbourhood. 



Quite as remarkable as the large number of Starlings 

 frequenting the island is the regularity with which they 

 perform their daily journey. They seem to have some 

 gathering-place farther inland, and often pass overhead in 

 one large flock, when the beat of their wings causes quite a 

 commotion in the air. No matter what the weather may be, 

 they regularly perform their journeys across the water of the 

 Forth. I have watched them battling against an easterly 

 gale, when they had to fly so low as almost to touch the 

 waves, and when some of the weaker birds were driven 

 back to the shore. 



Sometimes, on a calm night, they fly high overhead, but 

 seldom so high that the beat of their wings cannot be heard. 



One would naturally have expected that with the 

 approach of the breeding season the colony would disperse ; 

 but this was not so, and quite large flocks continued to roost 

 on the island. Mr. W. Evans estimates the proportion of 

 non-breeding birds at about ten per cent, but the proportion 

 which travelled daily to and from the island seemed to 

 exceed that number. 



No nests have been found on the island, and during the 

 day it is quite deserted, not a Starling remaining on it. 



I have not been able to trace how far inland the Starlings 

 travel. I am of opinion, however, that each band has its own 

 particular feeding -ground which it regularly frequents. 

 What confirms me in this belief is the fact that every 

 morning I have watched the Starlings passing over Longgreen, 

 Dalmeny Park, about a dozen birds regularly detach them- 

 selves from the flock and settle on an ivy-clad tree close by. 

 It was most interesting to watch for this little group of birds, 

 which afforded a striking example of the orderly manner in 

 which the movements of the whole colony are regulated. 



The following is a record of their migrations during the 

 different months : 



