410 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



tiny crosses of the waving reed-stems, while in higher strata 

 coursed countless numbers of young Swallows. Single Whin- 

 chats, invariably young females, are in the pasture fields near the 

 coast. In the Cranbrook neighbourhood this species is found on 

 migration in autumn, but even then very irregular in its appear- 

 ances. On Aug. 20th a small flock of six birds (the first since 

 1893) appeared in a fallow field near the town. They caught their 

 prey after the manner of Flycatchers, being very busy just at dusk 

 in obtaining it, retiring for the night to a neighbouring turnip- 

 field. All of these birds were young males, a fact which I have 

 found to be the case on several former occasions. The rule with 

 this species on migration seems, therefore, to be that the males 

 go together, while the females keep separate. An extraordinary 

 influx of Yellow Wagtails took place this evening : the bean and 

 stubble fields were literally alive with them, while many perched, 

 after the manner of Swallows, on the telegraph wire near the sea- 

 wall. Just now the males of this species are very quarrelsome, 

 and may constantly be seen fighting among themselves. 



Aug. 27th. Light north-westerly wind. The Yellow Wagtails 

 are edging eastward. Towards evening large numbers had con- 

 centrated around Dungeness, prior no doubt to crossing the 

 Channel. 



From Aug. 28th to Sept. 25th flocks of Starlings peopled the 

 vicinity of the coast. I watched them daily increasing till they 

 assumed immense proportions. From early morning to evening, 

 especially when the weather was bad and a strong south-west wind 

 blowing, wonderful and fascinating flights were executed by these 

 flocks, which had the appearance of mottled aerial monsters 

 swimming high above the ground in devious courses through the 

 air — now close — now far distant, seeming mere bits of driven 

 smoke toned with constant changing lights like those on wind- 

 waved ripples, but always edging to the northward. These flights 

 form an interesting study. I have found that they are invariably 

 resorted to when on migration and on nearing the coast, when 

 the country generally presents an open and unenclosed view for 

 many miles. They are undertaken to provide beacons of safety to 

 the numerous stragglers that must necessarily lose their way during 

 bad weather. On the other hand, where the country is close and 

 woody, the voice rather than flight is far more resorted to as a 

 means of attraction. On an autumn evening, when a flock betakes 



