38 BIRDS OF CHESHIRE. 
BLACK REDSTART. 
RUTICILLA TITYS (Scopoli). 
Mr. R. Newstead came across a pair of Black Red- 
starts in some old trees in Eaton Park on May 7th, 
1888, and was able to identify them, as the male, 
especially, gave him several opportunities for close 
observation.1 This date, although very late for this 
rare winter visitor, is not unprecedented.” 
Brockholes records the occurrence of a female Com- 
mon Redstart during severe weather in winter, on the 
Leasowe Embankment; but taking into consideration 
the place and the season of the year, there can be little 
doubt that, as Dr. Dobie suggests, this bird was a female 
Black Redstart.$ 
Byerley cites one occurrence in Cheshire, a male at 
Storeton Quarry, about the year 1853, on the authority 
of Mr. Mather, a Liverpool taxidermist.* 
REDBREAST. 
ERITHACUS RUBECULA (Linnzus). 
Robin. 
From west to east, except on the bare hilltops, the 
Redbreast is at all seasons of the year one of our best- 
known birds. Except for the short interval at the end 
of summer, when the moult takes place, the Redbreast 
sings throughout the year. In its song it often mimics 
1 Dobie, op. cit. p. 288. 
2 Cf. Howard Saunders, Manual of British Birds (second edition), 
p. 33. % Brockholes, op. cit. p. 6. 
4 Byerley, Fauna of Liverpool, 1856, p. 12. 
