'I'HE :\riGUATIONS OF THE STARLING 265 



Blackbirds, Goldcrests, and Lapwings. The latest record 

 was chronicled at the Isle of May on 28th April 1886, 

 when at 10 p.m. Starlings appeared during a "rush" 

 of migrants (Wheatears, Redstarts, Whitethroats, etc.). 



The Starlings which winter in Ireland begin to 

 emigrate about the middle of February, and in some 

 seasons the movements are in progress until the middle 

 or end of March. Those that winter in western Britain 

 and certain of the Hebridean Islands (such as Tiree), 

 leave at dates ranging from the middle of February to 

 the end of March. 



Summary of the Migrations of the Starling. — The 

 various movements of the Starling may be conveniently 

 summarised as follows : — 



1. In June, sometimes early in the month, the young 

 of our native Starlings gather together and lead a roving 

 life, during which they visit the coast and other districts. 



2. Later in summer both old and young form flocks 

 and wander afield in search of food, and in the autumn 

 many of these wanderers, notably those inhabiting the 

 more northern and elevated districts of the mainland, 

 seek winter quarters in the west and south of Great 

 Britain and Ireland, some numbers of the British birds 

 emigrating to Ireland for that purpose. 



3. A portion of our native Starlings, namely, 

 those which belong to the migratory race passing the 

 summer with us, quit our shores in the late summer 

 and early autumn, to winter in South-Western Europe, 

 etc. They are essentially summer visitors to the British 

 Isles. 



4. During the autumn (late September to early 

 November) vast numbers of Starlings arrive on the 

 south-east coast of England from Central Europe, many 



