185 



been occasionally taken within our bounds, few, if 

 any, have been captured in the singular sooty 

 black plumage which it assumes in summer. No 

 specimen of it has yet been seen in Scotland, but 

 it is found in Holland, France, &c., while on its 

 passage in spring and autumn. It inhabits the 

 sea-shore, the borders of rivers, lakes, &c-, and 

 feeds on worms, insects, &c. The first authen- 

 ticated specimens of the eggs of the Spotted Bed- 

 shank were obtained in the summer of 1854 by 

 Mr. Wolley. 



REDSTART, BLACK. 



SYLVIA TITHTS, Temm. 



The Black Redstart, which is rare in Sweden, 

 and in the northern parts of the European Conti- 

 nent generally, is not an uncommon visitor to the 

 eastern and western coasts of England. It is 

 common in summer in Germany^ France, and 

 Switzerland. The habits of this bird are somewhat 

 similar to those of the common Redstart, but it 

 prefers stony places and is rarely seen on the plains. 

 Its food consists of worms, insects in their various 

 stages, small fruits and berries. Its nest, which is 

 made in the clefts of rocks, holes in walls, &c., is 

 formed of grass and lined with hair. It produces 

 five or six white eggs, smooth, shining, and polished 

 in appearance. 



