THE MIGRATIONS OF THE STARLING 255 



Later in autumn these movements merge into 

 those of the Continental hosts also seeking winter 

 retreats in various parts of our islands. 



2. Stujimer and Antiinin Emigration. — Not only are 

 winter quarters sought by our native Starlings within 

 the British area, but many travel much further to find 

 retreats in South-Western Europe.^ Thus a number of 

 our 'British-breeding Starlings are summer visitors to 

 our islands. 



Late in July, during August, and up to the middle 

 of September (before the Continental birds appear on 

 our shores) emigrant Starlings depart from the south 

 coast of England, and are observed crossing the Channel 

 towards France, sometimes in company with Wheatears, 

 Sedge- Warblers, Song-Thrushes, Meadow-Pipits, Sky- 

 larks, Curlews, and other species. These movements of 

 departure are performed during the night or the earliest 

 hours of the morning, and hence for the most part escape 

 notice ; but I have received during the past few years 

 much valuable information regarding them from the 

 Eddystone lighthouse, the situation of which is singu- 

 larly favourable for the making of such observations. 

 Nearly all the Starlings (and other species) which meet 

 with an untimely end at the lanterns at this season are 

 birds of the year — a circumstance, however, to which 

 no great significance should be attached ; for we must 

 remember that the majority of the emigrants are young, 

 indeed only a few weeks old, and it seems natural that 

 they should fall easier victims to the attractions of the 

 lanterns than older travellers with more experience. 

 The later British emigrants doubtless depart with the 



1 Marked native British Starlings have been recovered in winter in 

 France. 



