COMMON STARLING. 251 



those common species whicli receive migratory additions 

 in autumn ; indeed, the late Bishop Stanley, in his 

 " Familiar History of Birds," states that in 1836 the 

 astonishing number of seventeen dozen starlings were 

 picked up near the hghthouse at Flamboro' head, 

 "killed, maimed, or stupefied," by flying against the 

 glass. A most extraordinary instance, however, of the ap- 

 pearance of these birds, in enormous masses, was kindly 

 communicated to me in the following graphic terms, by 

 Mr. J. G. Davey, of the Manor House, Horningtoft, about 

 five miles from Fakenham. Under date of September 

 4th, 1864, he wi-ites, — " One night last week I watched 

 a single flock, which appeared to extend over about Jive 

 acres as they were wheeling around, when another mass 

 came from the south-west ; I can form no estimate of the 

 number; the former flock I considered large till these 

 came, they also circled round and the smaller lot joined 

 this immense flock, and it seemed as if it was putting 

 twenty people into a London crowd, it appeared no 

 larger than before. They settled down in the wood in 

 two parties, and occupied about thirty acres. Having 

 been told that they killed the bushes and underwood, I 

 went the next evenmg to shoot at them and frighten 

 them away. There were not half so many as the pre- 

 vious evening. I got quite up to them and threw a 

 stone into the bushes, when they rose about fifteen 

 yards off, and I shot into them both barrels. They flcAV 

 round and alighted again; this I did shooting seven 

 times, and killing so many, that as I found I could not 

 drive them away I was disgusted at such wholesale 

 slaughter, and came away intending to be there earlier 

 and keep shooting to prevent their settling another 

 night ; but though a great many came, there were not 

 near so many as before. From whence so many come I 

 cannot conceive; in the day they go off" in smaU 

 parties to feed, and at an hour before sundown begin to 

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