OCCASIONAL NOTES. 215 
frontage render shooting from open boats a difficult matter.—T. M. Pixe 
(Westport, Wareham). [We reserve a note on the Cormorants of the 
Dorsetshire coast.—Eb. ] 
Roostinc Hasirs or THE Sraruinc.—I have been much inte- 
rested in observing the habits of Starlings at one of their favoured 
roosting-places. The spot chosen is a large bed of very thick laurel and 
rhododendron bushes situated upon a hill, and consequently in an exposed 
situation, yet in close proximity to plantations of larch and fir, and I may 
safely say thousands of birds resorted thither for the purpose of roosting, 
and even up to the present date (28th March) their numbers seem little 
decreased, perhaps on account of the cold and changeable weather. Why 
such a site was chosen in preference to similar equally dense shrubberies 
in much more sheltered situations it is somewhat difficult to say, except 
that the favoured spot is more suitable for a “look out,” having command 
of the views for miles around on every hand. During the daytime not a 
starling is to be seen in the neighbourhood, but as soon as evening 
approaches all is life and activity. First a few scattered individuals make 
their appearance, flying about in a leisurely manner high in the air; these 
are soon joined by others, some of the birds arriving by twos or threes, 
others in greater force, and coming from all points of the compass. 
Sometimes a small detached flock, on their first arrival, separates for 
a time from the main body; following the example of their more 
numerous friends, by soaring high in the air; others, again, arrive and 
settle upon some tall tree, as if waiting for absent members of their com- 
_munity; indeed the entire number seem to have but one object in view, 
viz., the collecting of all stragglers. This eventually is accomplished by 
the amalgamation of each separate group into one immense flock, which is 
celebrated with a great amount of twittering, and apparently very joyous 
behaviour on the part of the whole company. ‘They then fly about in a 
rapid manner, the whole flock actuated as it were by one impulse, turning 
and twisting with great regularity and precision, sometimes separating for a 
few moments into two or three portions, only to join again and soar into 
the air, rising sometimes to a great height, and chasing each other in a 
most amusing manner. ‘Thus the whole flock continue their flight, some- 
times describing a circle of considerable dimensions, but always returning 
to the favoured bushes; in fact it is questionable if they ever lose sight of 
them, all the time uttering their peculiar note, something resembling that of 
the Mallard. As the darkness increases they fly more frequently over or 
near the bushes, when suddenly the whole flock drop like stones into the 
midst of them, the sound of the descent amongst the foliage being audible 
at a considerable distance. After some twittering and confusion, during 
which many apparently have to “ fight for a place,” the community settle 
