BLACK REUSTART. 



PASSER£S. 



333 

 SYLVIIDjE. 



RUTICILLA TITYS (Scopoli*). 



THE BLACK REDSTAET. 



Pho'nicnra tltliys. 



The Black Redstart, which is at once distinguished 

 from the well-known and common species, last described, by 

 being sooty-black on the breast and belly where the other 

 is reddish-brown, was first made known as an occasional 

 visitor to this country by Mr. Gould, who recorded (Zool. 

 Journ. V. p. 103) the caj^ture of a specimen by Mr. Bond at 

 Kilburn, near London, October 25th, 1829 ; and another 

 example was afterwards seen in the Regent's Park. Li 1830, 

 two more specimens were obtained, one at Bristol, the 

 other at Brighton. In January, 1833, a fifth occurred at 

 Teignmouth, and in December, 1835, one was shot near 

 Bristol. Since then the recorded occurrences have become 



* Sylvia titJii/s (by mistake), Scopoli, Annus I. Historico-Natnralis, p. 157 

 (1769). This naturalist admittedly took his specific name from Linnasus, who 

 spelt the woi'd titys, as did Gesner ; but the best classical authorities, Stephaniis, 

 Porson and Passow, consider titis to be right. This originally meant a small 

 chirping bird, and is possibly cognate with the first syllable of our Titmouse and 

 TltltxTk. See 'Ann. & Mag. N. H.' ser. 4, x, p. •227. 



