THE MOVEMENTS OF STABLINGS. 141 



supposition also accounts for the presence of a small number of 

 birds at the roost, even during the breeding season — a fact 

 alluded to at the end of the description of the roost at Moreton 

 Corbet. 



With reference to the migrations of the Starlings that leave 

 us, we seldom witness the actual departure, and still more seldom 

 see their return ; but this is not singular — we may say the same 

 of all inland migrations. On the coasts the departures and 

 arrivals are much more evident. Mr. D. H. Meares saw, on one 

 occasion, several thousand Starlings roosting on the ground in a 

 ploughed field close to Shawbury village ; he supposed that they 

 were preparing for a night flight. In returning to their inland 

 quarters in spring, the birds arrive on our coasts in large 

 numbers, but, after resting awhile, they continue their flight in 

 such small bodies that they are not noticed. 



The Starlings which remain here through the winter, in 

 company with Peewits and Rooks, exhibit a tendency to break 

 up into gradually smaller and smaller parties. Towards the end 

 of February many pairs are to be found at their old breeding 

 haunts. At this period the Peewits still keep together in large 

 flocks, not pairing off till March ; by that time their attendant 

 Starlings have deserted them. 



