314 SPORT AND TRAVEL PAPERS 



the early spring appeared to be the principal, or one of the 

 principal, places of assembly prior to their migration to other 

 parts. It was a most marvellous spectacle to watch these huge 

 masses of starlings, millions and millions of them, as they 

 collected here from their scattered feeding-grounds in the early 

 evening and assembled, not as individuals or all in one enormous 

 mass, but in two or three entirely distinct bodies, like the 

 separate divisions of an army corps. As they settled the ground 

 became literally black with them, but the outlines of the 

 divisions were sharply drawn, and no birds to be seen on 

 the grass in the intervals between them. It was a truly striking 

 picture; there must have been a very strict commander over 

 each well-drilled body. When all had assembled, and daylight 

 began to fade, up the whole army rose, and the columns, not 

 intermingling, took several circular flights, as if at practice for 

 their prospective journey, afterwards alighting on the high trees 

 around, which soon were black with them. Thence once more 

 would they repeat the manoeuvres and, these last evolutions 

 completed, the noise ceased, and the birds settled finally on the 

 heavily laden branches. 



It was an extremely interesting spectacle, a striking example 

 of the high intelligence and perfect organisation which prevails 

 among these, to the forester and gardener most unwelcome 

 visitors, when large bodies are collected for some special purpose. 



