6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



manoeuvring at a great height. At 3.55 they all 

 settled down. At 4 P.M. the Longgreen flock 

 commenced to arrive, and settled to roost at once. 

 The whole flock were now chattering in their char- 

 acteristic fashion. Bands of them continued to arrive 

 till I left the island at 4.15. Mr. Hogg says they 

 seem to keep up their talking all night long. If he 

 goes into the plantation at night with a lantern the 

 birds flutter round the light in great numbers. During 

 the month there was little variation shown in the times 

 of flight. On the 2nd the morning flight was at 8 A.M., 

 and the evening 3.45. On the 1 5th the Starlings 

 crossed at 8.15, and returned at 3.30 to 4 P.M. At 

 the end of the month the morning flight was timed at 

 8.30, and in the evening 3.45 to 4 P.M. 



January, 1901. On the 1st of the month the morning flight 

 was at 8.15. In the evening there was an unusual 

 commotion among the Starlings. It was bright moon- 

 light, and, instead of crossing to the island, they settled 

 for a time in Longgreen woods, breaking up into 

 small flocks and flying about in a state of great excite- 

 ment. On the 2nd they seemed to have the same 

 hesitation in going to the island. About the middle 

 of the month the morning flight was at 8.15, and in 

 the evening at 4.30. On the 3Oth the morning flight 

 was at 8.10, and in the evening 4.45 to 5 P.M. During 

 the mild weather prevailing during this month the 

 flocks of Starlings seemed to decrease in size. Numbers 

 of pairs could be seen about the woods, as if preparing 

 to nest. With the return of colder weather the colony 

 seemed to increase again. 



February. In the beginning of this month the morning 

 flight was at 8 A.M., and the evening flight about 5 

 P.M. On the i 3th the Starlings left the island at 7.35 

 and returned at 5.30. During the calm frosty weather 

 which occurred at this time the flight of the Starlings 

 was so high that the birds were almost invisible. On 

 the I 2th I saw them rise from the island at 7.40 A.M., 

 but lost sight of them, and I believe they passed 



