216 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
down to rest. One evening I hid myself near the spot, but the birds 
seemed quite aware of my presence in the neighbourhood, as that evening 
it was a long time before they made up their minds to settle, though they 
eventually did so. Almost every evening the performance I have attempted 
to describe was gone through, but on one occasion I noticed that each 
separate flock as it arrived went direct to the bushes in question, though 
why it was so on this particular occasion I am unable to say, except that 
the majority of the birds arrived later, and consequently had not sufficient 
light for their customary evolutions. Vast numbers of small birds roosted 
in the large thick rhododendron bushes in the vicinity, but in no instance 
did I see them join the starlings, either before or at roosting-time ; in fact 
the behaviour of these smaller birds was different altogether. One or two 
would arrive and settle upon some tall tree—a poplar and a fir tree standing 
near each other, in a very exposed place, were always choseu; there the 
birds would perch in a quiet manner, waiting for their friends and relations, 
and seldom shifting quarters unless disturbed; in fact 1 have walked 
almost to the foot of the trees without their flying off, so listless did they 
seem to sit. As the shades of night closed in, they one by one flew quietly 
down into the bushes at no great distance; and I have been astonished at 
the immense number of birds which sought and found repose in the limit 
of a few hundred square yards.—G. B. Corsrn ( Ringwood, Hants). 
Lirrte Sriny AND OTHER Birps in SHEPPY.—In September last a 
friend shot a Little Stint on the ‘ muds” near Leysdown, in Sheppy. * It 
was not preserved, but I obtained the wings for identification. In examining 
a number of small birds feeding during the frost in a stack-yard I was 
surprised to detect a Tree Sparrow among them. In order that there should 
be no mistake I shot it. J mention the fact as I think it is a rare species 
in Kent. Grey Crows were abundant, as also were Rooks, but I saw no 
signs ofa Black Crow. Wishing to get some of the grey ones, I procured 
a sheep, and, placing it a convenient distance from the sea-wall, soon saw 
them pulling it about. The terror of the Crows when I appeared over the 
wall about twenty-five yards off may be well imagined. I shot a solitary 
Rook also on the sheep, off which it had made a good meal. The Ringed 
Plovers were all gone, but there were a few Gray Plovers on the flats. 
I noticed four species of Gull, viz., the Great Black-backed, Herring, Black- 
headed and Kittiwake. There were vast flocks of Curlews and Redshanks, 
and clouds of Dunlins; these latter looked very pretty when flying in the 
sun. Snipe were often to be met with; I put up a few from the “ saltings,” 
not a common place, I believe, to find them; they prefer running dykes. 
There were both Moorhens and Dabchicks on the island. I came across 
most of our common birds. Larks were in thousands, and I shot one of a 
pale butt colour.—C. Marruew Prior (Bedford). 
