NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
95 
observed the skylark singing whilst on the ground, and particularly when it has 
been standing upon a little clod of earth. Only to-day, too (April 12 ), I had the 
pleasure of seeing such a tree-loving species as the tree pipit upon the ground, 
uttering its welcome song the while. I had previously noted its arrival here at 
6 a. m. on the morning of April ii. I do not remember ever having observed 
the song-thrush or blackbird singing whilst on the ground, but when at Bourne- 
mouth I was struck by observing both species singing whilst perched on the 
chimney pots of hou.ses, forcibly reminding one of the soot- and smoke-loving 
starling ! I have often noticed the hedge sparrow singing whilst upon the ground. 
W. Pkrcival Wkstkli., K. R. H.S., M.B.O.U. 
105. Starling^S. — Every winter and early spring we have immense con- 
gregations of starlings in the trees in front of this house. They assemble towards 
evening, coming in small detachments from different quarters and becoming 
thicker and thicker in the leafless branches, till some of the old elms are black 
with them. After much hissing and fizzing amongst themselves they descend in 
numbers to the grass, where they feed, moving along the ground like a black 
carpet, and now and then rising in a body a yard or two, and settling in a new 
spot. Having had their supper they return to the trees, where they remain 
talking at a great rate, now and then changing trees and circling round for half 
an hour or so. Then, as if at a given signal, up they rise in clouds, darkening the 
air, and away they go, always in the same direction, to the south-we.st, and we 
see no more of them till the next evening, when they again assemble and the 
same proceedings are gone through. The numbers vary, however ; on some 
nights there are not nearly so many as on others. We see nothing of them by 
day. The house starlings lustle about feeding on the lawn in pairs, and seem to 
have no connection with the evening flocks. 
I do not remember noticing these assemblages in former days. Is it a new 
thing? I have heard it said that they are all bachelors from Germany and of 
quite recent importation. But whatever they are, I should much like to know 
their history. Where do they sleep ? Where are they during the day? What 
becomes of them in summer and before Christmas ? For the great flocks only 
seem at their largest in February and March. One thing I observe which I never 
notice in ordinary starlings, and that is their wonderful quickness when they fly 
downwards, whether into the trees or to the grass ; a sort of zig-zag flight, but 
looking as if they fell with closed wings — pouring down. 
Botley, Hants. L. Pasley. 
106. Robins. — I have been much puzzled lately about the conduct of a 
couple of robins. They have come to my dressing-room window every morning 
now during the winter, but lately one has been feeding tbe other. At first I thought 
one must be a young one, but it had a red breast, and young robins have not a 
redbreast when they are fed by tbe parents, so I conclude it is tbe cock feeding 
the hen, during the time of courtship, the honeymoon, but I have never seen it 
done before by English birds ; foreign birds I know feed each other thus. The hen 
feeds just like a young one, waving its wings and uttering a little peevish cry, but 
if the cock is not near it can help itself to the food — cheese crumbs. I have been 
photographed with a robin on my hand. I find chaffinches very tame, they fly 
about my head when I cycle from my gate, and follow me for some distance in 
the road. A thrush also last year followed me about like a dog, hopping at my 
heels till I got to the place where I gave it food, if we had time to spare. I 
believe most birds could be tamed. 
Chanwood Forest, W. R. T. 
Easier Eve. 
107. Waxwing ? — On Sunday morning, about nine o’clock, I caugbt sight 
of a strange bird in the orchard, about the size of a missel-thrush. I knew by its 
restless way that it was a stranger and I .saw the bands of white in each wing, 
which seemed to be an inch broad, and the wings seemed to be deep pink in 
colour. It did not give me time to study it, for it flew from tree to tree, not 
quickly, however, until it disappeared. I have no idea what it can be and can 
find nothing answering to it nearer than the waxwing, although I did not notice 
any crest. Although it seems almost useless writing about it, yet I cannot let it 
