THE MIGRATIONS OF OTHER BIRDS 213 



sidered as usual as has been supposed. The flight of 

 the starling is so much more rapid than that of the 

 blackbirds that it would be difficult for it to accom- 

 pany them for great distances. The blackbirds in 

 question habitually fly from 22 to 28 miles per hour, 

 while the starling as regularly travels at a rate of 

 38 to 49 miles per hour. The two speeds are so in- 

 compatible that it might be difficult for the species 

 to keep together in prolonged flight. Furthermore, 

 if starlings were to begin migration with flocks of 

 grackles, there would be no incentive for them to 

 drop out en route, as they would naturally accom- 

 pany the other birds to the far south. If this method 

 had been used in their dispersal, it is natural to sup- 

 pose that they would have appeared early in the 

 southern winter quarters of the blackbirds under 

 discussion, which, as has been said, is not the case 

 since the starling has spread gradually to the south- 

 ward. 



The migratory quail, already mentioned as a 

 source of food to the starving Israelites during the 

 exodus, comes south toward Africa in September 

 in enormous numbers, when immense quantities 

 are captured in nets for food. The birds are crowded 

 into low narrow cages often so closely that they can 

 barely stir, with the crates darkened to prevent 

 fighting, and are sent alive to market. From the 

 shoreb of the Mediterranean tens of thousands have 



