Miscellaneous . 271 



third and more numerous bodj of Starlings passed the boat with 

 great dispatch, taking the same path as their congeners had done, 

 which we had the good fortune to recognize so clearly in the early 

 part of the evening. 



The incident in the history of the Starling to which reference is 

 made, pretty clearly evinces, at least to my mind, that this spe- 

 cies of Sturnus is migratory in the autumnal months, performing, as 

 it certainly does, a change of situation at that season of the year, in 

 congregated masses and numerous bands, like some other birds be- 

 longing to the fauna of these islands. On this matter most of our 

 own monographers have maintained a marked silence, as if ignorant 

 in that respect, as I have said, of the peculiar wandering habit and 

 manners of Larry Sterne's captive bird. 



In this part of the kingdom the Starling abounds, especially in our 

 retired woodlands, whole broods being reared in such places annually ; 

 the nest of the creature being placed in holes of decayed timber-trees 

 of our thickly wooded parks, likewise within the holes and crevices 

 of ancient buildings, church towers, and ruins, where protection and 

 safety are afforded it during the period of nidification. 



For many years past I have not failed to notice its manners through- 

 out the whole autumn and winter season, and in so doing, have ever 

 been led to mark the invariable increase made by the bird in its 

 numerical diffusion at that period. 



It has been with me a settled point, for many years past, that a 

 very considerable migration of the species takes place annually ; but 

 hitherto such speculation was mere conjecture on my part. I had 

 no proof whatever, by me, of its actual performance. However, in 

 my passage across the Straits in the month of September last, the 

 fact which I have briefly narrated in my letter, fails not to establish 

 unequivocally the migration of the Starling, but proves, moreover, 

 the adoption of its brumal retreat on these shores. 



BRITISH AMPHIPODA. 



To the Editors of the Annals of Natural History. 



Plymouth, Feb. 16, 1857- 

 Gentlemen, — Having had an opportunity, since the publication 

 of the Synopsis of the British Amphipoda, of comparing the neces- 

 sary works at the British Museum, I am enabled to make the follow- 

 ing corrections and addenda : — 

 After O. littorea read (Leach). 

 After O. Deshayesii read (Savigny). 

 Acanthonotus Owenii (raihi) is A. testudo of (Montagu). 

 Thersites (mihi) must yield to Bathyporea (Lindstrom), and pro- 

 bably the species B. Guilliamsonia is the pilosa of that naturalist. 



Leucotho'e procera {rnHhi) is probably /wnwa of Savigny; and 

 also the genus Byopedos (mihi) is Dulichia of Kroyer ; consequently 

 the family Byopedidee will for the future be changed to Bulichiadce. 

 I am. Gentlemen, yours obediently, 



C. Spence Bate. 



