REDSTART. 55 



"this is singular, as it is a regular vernal migrant, not 

 only to England, but to Scotland, and is met with from 

 the borders to the extreme north of the latter country. 

 Nowhere are there districts apparently better suited to 

 this very handsome and interesting bird than in Ireland. 

 I have always regretted its absence as a summer visitor, 

 when meeting with it in localities of various character in 

 England." Mr. Watters says : " This elegantly formed 

 species is one of extreme rarity in its occurrence, and 

 has only been obtained in three or four instances in 

 different localities on the island. Interesting in habits, 

 and beautiful in plumage, it is a matter of regret that 

 it is not a companion with the many other summer 

 visitants to our shores." Mr. Seebohm remarks that " it 

 is virtually absent in Ireland;" and Mr. A. G. More 

 speaks of it as " a very rare visitor, occurring in two or 

 three instances in summer or autumn.", 



It was, therefore, with much pleasurable excitement 

 that, in company with my friend, Mr. Charles Pownall, 

 I accepted an invitation from Miss Massy, of Coola- 

 keigh, Enniskerry, to visit the Deer Park, Powerscourt, 

 and see the Redstarts, male, female, young ones, nest, 

 and all. Were it not that I had known Miss Massy for 

 several years as an indefatigable and really skilful 

 observer, I should have feared that some mistake had 

 been made, as the news seemed almost too good to be 

 true ; but with her diagnosis we felt that all must be 

 right. We went, we saw, and were delighted ; and I 

 hurried to communicate the pleasant tidings to my kind 

 friend, Mr. A. G. More. 



All this occurred on June 18, 1885, and on June 27 

 Mr. More accompanied my wife and myself to the 



