REDSTART 33 



Genus RUTICILLA, C. L. Brehm. 



EEDSTAET. 



Piuticilla x>hoeniciiriis (Linn^us). /S.iV"., i., p. 335 



(1766). 



The immigration of the Eedstart into Kent appears to 

 be rather erratic, and its movements uncertain. Some 

 years they make their appearance in numbers, and in 

 others are extremely rare. There is no doubt that the 

 Redstart arrives in Kent in early spring, and then they 

 spread out north and west into the more inland parts 

 of the country to breed, although, when numerous, in 

 some seasons they remain to breed sparingly in several 

 parts of the county. 



In 1792 Boys included the Eedstart in the Birds of 

 Sanchcich. We also find it mentioned in Mudie's 

 British Birds, 1835. In the Eev. J. Pemberton 

 Bartlett's Ornitliologij of Kent {Zoologist, 1844), he states 

 that the Eedstart is " common. They arrive here about 

 the first week in April, and leave towards the end of 

 August." There is no doubt in those days the Eedstart 

 was numerous enough, but collectors, bird-catchers and 

 others did the mischief, and we must take into account 

 the enormous number that are destroyed on the Con- 

 tinent on immigration, therefore the numbers are greatly 

 diminished. 



The following dates are given of the earliest observa- 

 tions of the arrival of the Eedstart at " Shooter's Hill, 

 April 5, 1844 ; Blackheath, April 17, 1861 ; April 19, 

 1866, saw one Eedstart on the iron rails round the 

 Deodara in Greenwich Park. April 23, strolled round 

 3 



