BIRDS OF GUERNSEY. 41 



start has also a white patch on the wing caused by 

 the pale, nearly white, margins of the feathers. 

 The females are more alike, but still may easily be 

 distinguished, the general colour of the female 

 Black Eedstart being much duller a dull smoke- 

 brown instead of the reddish brown of the Common 

 Kedstart. 



Some slight variations of plumage take place in 

 the Black Eedstart at different ages and seasons, 

 which have led to some little difficulties, and to 

 another supposed species, Ruticilla cairii of Gerbe 

 being suggested, but apparently quite without 

 reason. I have never seen the Black Kedstart in 

 the Islands at any time of year except the autumn, 

 and do not know of its occurrence at any other 

 time. 



Professor Ansted includes it in his list, but gives 

 no locality; and there is no specimen in the 

 Museum. 



32. STONECHAT. Pratincola rubicola, Linnaeus. 

 French, " Tarier rubicole," " Traquet patre," 

 " Traquet rubicole." The Stonechat is a numerous 

 and regular summer visitant, breeding in all the 

 Islands, but I do not think any remain throughout 

 the winter ; of course a few scattered birds may 

 occasionally do so in some sheltered locality, but I 

 have never seen one in the Islands as late as 

 November. Both in the Vale and on the Cliffs in 



