18 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



in frequent small parties, at short intervals, only a few flocks of 

 them are seen passing during the season, although of vast size 

 and at a great height. Generally about the beginning of 

 November I have seen these flocks, at most one or two in the 

 day, coming from north-east, and covering a large part of the 

 sky like a cloud. This year I saw the first flight on October 

 16th, an unusually early date for the appearance of Fieldfares. 



These occurrences are to be observed regularly every autumn, 

 but the migration movement of last autumn has in all respects 

 been a most exceptional one. Some of the migrants have 

 appeared unusually early, and all in much larger numbers than I 

 have ever before observed. On October 8th I saw the first 

 flocks, both of Starlings and Redwings. On the same day, and 

 for about a week after, immense numbers of Golden Plovers were 

 passing over, flying towards the west and south-west in large 

 V-shaped strings. This was about the usual time for Starlings 

 and Redwings, but early for Golden Plover. On the 1 1th again 

 both Redwings and Starlings were constantly passing. 



On the 16th, as above mentioned, I observed a great host of 

 Fieldfares, many thousands in number, winging their way across 

 the sky towards the south-west. From October 17th to the 

 beginning of November the Starling migration was at its height, 

 the flocks being much larger and more numerous than I had ever 

 observed in former years. I saw four within a quarter of an hour 

 on the afternoon of the 18th. At 4 p.m. on the 22nd, the 

 largest flock I ever saw passed over. It was in the form of a 

 column, perhaps nearly a mile long, and must have numbered 

 thousands, spanning the sky from horizon to horizon for more 

 than half a minute, and was followed in a short time by two 

 smaller flocks. All the latter part of October Skylarks were 

 from time to time flying over, generally large straggling flocks or 

 scattered individuals, flying nearly out of sight, but their call 

 notes being distinctly audible. 



It would be most interesting to know whether this remarkably 

 large migratory movement has been general. I hope other 

 readers of ' The Zoologist,' who are favourably situated for 

 observing the arrival of winter birds, will report whether they 

 have noticed a similar abundance of migrants this season. It 

 was remarked to me by a friend, that the large number of 

 Staidings and Golden Plover probably indicated the approach 



