104 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



and onwards to mid-November that It may be expected, 

 and then only in small numbers. 



In spring the birds resort to the newly sown land, 

 and are considered a great pest. George Stout noticed 

 on two occasions in spring, when the Rooks were more 

 than usually plentiful, that a certain kind of worm 

 infested the land, and one Rook that was killed had 

 its crop full of this pest, instead of the seeds which the 

 islanders expected to find. 



CoRvus MONEDULA, Jackdazv. — A few occur during 

 spring and autumn, usually in company with Rooks. 



In spring their appearances date from 21st March to 

 13th May, but chiefly during April. 



The autumn visits have been made between 19th 

 October and loth November. 



Sturnus vulgaris. Starling.- — An abundant resident, 

 nesting in the cliffs and buildings. These native birds are 

 strictly sedentary, and have chosen roosting-places amid 

 the cliffs, assembling on the rocks towards dusk ere they 

 retire. Among these chosen night-resorts are certain 

 natural tunnels, of considerable length, which connect 

 the Western Ocean with two very remarkable chasms, 

 known as the Reevas. In the recesses of these retreats, 

 with the surf of an ever-restless sea roaring below them, 

 numbers of these birds pass the night : wilder and more 

 weird roosting-places it would be difficult to conceive. 



The Starling is also a common bird of passage, 

 moving northwards in spring from the end of the third 

 week in March until mid-April. 



The first of the autumn migrants are recorded for 

 9th September, and they continue to arrive and pass 

 southwards throughout October and until the fourth 

 week of November. These birds of passage during their 



