28 PROCEEDINGS OP THE 



as they came out. I found that Robins were leaving at the rate 

 of about 100 every minute on my side alone, and an actual 

 count of one thousand was made. At 5.05 o'clock the Grackles 

 began to be disturbed. At 5.18 o'clock tlie first flock of Cow- 

 birds rose, about fifteen in number. By this time the Robins 

 had nearly all departed, and for the next ten minutes only Cow- 

 birds flew out, which they did at the rate of fifty everj' minute 

 on my side of the trees. 



At 5.28 o'clock the first flock of Grackles, about twenty-five 

 in number, whirled about over the trees and settled again in the 

 roost. This was considered unusual, as they generally left at 

 once. I think the bad weather conditions were responsible for 

 this departure from the usual custom. The next minute, how- 

 ever, the whole flock of remaining birds, chiefly Grackles and 

 Cowbirds rose in a body, and after circling around doubtfully 

 for some minutes, flew away toward the east. The Cowbirds 

 left the flock soon after it rose and flew toward llie west. The 

 Robins seemed to go equall}' in all directions. At 5.30 o'clock 

 there were no birds left in the trees. 



In summing up the situation several things seemed to be es- 

 tablished. Tlie Grackles came in early and settled, and were 

 followed immediately by the Cowbirds, which had apparently 

 been waiting for that very thing. The last to come were the 

 Robins. In the departure in the morning the rever,se was the 

 order, the Robins scattering first, followed by the Cowbirds, 

 and lastly the Grackles, which rose in a body from the east side 

 of the trees where they had collected. There was very little 

 noise during the arrival or departure, and one going by at night 

 would not be aware of the presence of the birds, though the 

 grove is not over twenty-five feet from the road. 



It is evident that weather conditions influence the number of 

 birds present, especially the Grackles. On Monday morning the 

 number of birds was about the same except the Grackles, which 

 did not count more than 500. This is significant, as on the 

 evening before the rain fell in torrents about roosting-time. 



The direction of arrival and departure of the birds was well 

 defined. The Grackles from the east, the Cowbirds from the 

 west, and the Robins equally in all directions. 



