THE BIRDS OF DEVONSHIRE. 11 



(12). 1883. A. Spring. February 18tli, one seen ; 

 wiucl N. cold. 



B. Autumn. November 12th, several seen this 

 day and subsequently. December, first ^Yeek 

 many seen. 



We learn from these statistics, that this Redstart 

 arrives on the South Devon coast chiefly during 

 November, singly or in two's and trios, usually with 

 a Northerly wind ; that their arrival is not 

 accomplished at once but is frequently extended, 

 and that in March the birds gather on the coast in 

 small parties or singly, previous to starting on the 

 journey to their breeding grounds. ]V^erc their 

 breeding grounds are, must be a matter of pure con- 

 jecture. It has been suggested that the birds which 

 visit this county have travelled thither from the 

 Pyrenees, but the Editor is unable to entertain this 

 hypothesis, having due regard to the reports of 

 the occurrence of the species at Heligoland, on 

 the Sussex, Essex, and occasionally Norfolk coasts, 

 and frequent presence on the Irish coasts during 

 the winter months ; to say nothing of its occasional 

 occurrence in the West, Midland and even Northern 

 Counties of England. Everywhere, however, it seems 

 to rank as a rare bird, except in Cornwall and South 

 Devon, where its shyness at this season perhaps 

 makes it appear less abundant than it really is. 



Mr. D'Urban's experience differs from that of 

 Mr. Gatcombe in one particular, the former gentle- 



