28o 



THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



ADDENDA 



Song Thrush (p. 72). 



Mr. Kerry informs me that a very pale variety, shot near Harwich in the 

 autumn of 1889, was reported to him as a Golden Oriole ! 



Redstart (p. 78). 



In illustration of the pertinacity with which the Redstart returns year by 

 year to the same spot, and the wonderful regularity of its annual appearances, 

 Mr. F. H. Meggy, of Chelmsford, has furnished me with the following notes of 

 observations, taken between the years 1857 and 1874. They refer to the first 

 observed appearance of a pair of birds in the garden attached to Mr. Meggy's 

 house, adjoining the River Cann. The garden is about half an acre in extent, 

 and close to the town. 



In 1857 the Redstart was first observed on April 10 



1859 

 i860 

 1861 

 1862 

 1864 

 1865 

 1866 



at the end of April 

 on April 10 



,, April 13 



,, April 15 



„ May 3 



„ April 16 



,, April 19 



The nest was not often found in the garden, but about 1867 it was built in a 

 crevice between the end of a wall and the post of a door leading from the garden 

 to the town. The gate was not fifty yards from the house, and the passage-way 

 running at the back of houses in Museum Terrace was constantly used ; the 

 nest was robbed. In 1871, the male bird was killed by a cat, a few minutes after 

 it was first noticed. In 1872, it appeared on Apr. 27 ; in 1874, on May 12. Obser- 

 vations were discontinued when Mr. Meggy went to reside in London ; but as he 

 has returned to the house where these observations were made they will no doubt 

 be continued, if the Redstart still visits the garden. 



Bearded Tit (p. 91). 



One was observed at Languard L.H., on Feb. i6th, 1887, at 7.40 a.m. It 

 was very tame, and left at noon (42. ix. 20). 



Rock Pipit (p. 190). 



Mr. Kerry says that, in the winter of 18S9-90, he saw a good many round 

 Harwich, where he had previously found it scarce. 



Great Grey Shrike (p. 103). 

 ■ Mr. Kerry informs me that one was shot near Harwich on March 4th, 1890. 



