NOTES. 309 



female Black Redstart {Ruticilla titys) flew from a heap of 

 stones near the base of the seaward side of the wall, but alighted 

 a few yards further along the cliff. Though the bird was not 

 a moment at rest, I had three or four excellent views of it 

 through ray binoculars before it disappeared. 



A Black Redstart was seen on Traeth Mawr in 1888 (c/. 

 Vert. Fauna N. Wales, p. 82), but, as I am unable to tell 

 whether it was on the Carnarvonsliire or the Merionethshire 

 side of the estuary, I cannot readily say whether the present 

 record is the first or second for the county. Perhaps Mr. 

 Haigli will place the matter beyond dispute ? 



R. W. Jones. 



[Mr. Caton Haigh informs us that this bird was got on the 

 Merionethshire side. — Eds.] 



BLACK REDSTART IN WIGTOWNSHIRE. 



I HAVE to record an occurrence of the Black Redstart [Ruticilla 

 titys) — the first, I beHeve, for Wigtownshire. On January 

 15th, 1911, while walking over a piece of rocky waste-ground 

 near the sea, about a mile to the south of the little village of 

 Port Patrick, I flushed the bird, and before it disappeared 

 over a hillock I caught a glimpse of the reddish colouring of 

 its tail. I followed and when it rose again, distinct^ saw 

 the reddish tail. As the bird was rather shy I approached 

 again cautiously, and watched within a few yards for several 

 moments before it flew off. It was very nearly as large as a 

 Rock-Pipit, the back, wings and head being of a brownish 

 grey. When it flew off again, I saw quite plainly the reddish- 

 chestnut outer tail-feathers, the rump being of the same 

 colour. I saw the bird once more at close- quarters before it 

 flew down to the rocky slopes at the base of the cliff, but, 

 although I climbed down after it, I did not find it again. 



John N. Kennedy. 



SONG-PERIOD OF DARTFORD WARBLER. 



With reference to the Messrs. Alexander's interesting article 

 on the song-period of birds (pp. 274-8), the following notes 

 regarding the Dartford Warbler [Sylvia undata), which 

 are based on four years' observation in Surrey, will perhaps 

 be of interest. 



The bird sings occasionally during the latter half of March, 

 under favourable weather-conditions ; regularly from early 

 April to the middle of July, especially towards evening ; less 

 frequently during the last two weeks of July, and casually 

 in the first few days of August. 



