108 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vm. 



Chiffchaff. Though not so numerous nor so well- 

 distributed as the Willow- Warbler, especially in the 

 north of England, this species appears to be maintaining 

 its position without diificulty. Decreases reported appear 

 to be of purely local significance. 



The Willow- Warbler. — What has been said about 

 the Willow-Warbler in 1912 will apply with equal force 

 to 1913. Though 1912 was a more than average year, 

 1913 does not seem to have suffered in comparison 

 with it, and there can be no reasonable doubt that 

 this species is holding its own in all parts of the country, 

 though a few local decreases have been recorded. 



The Whitethroat. — The numbers of this species 

 seem to have been up to a good average in 1913. The 

 returns of 1913 contain few additional items worthy of 

 notice, and it may be said that they tend to confirm 

 the conclusions drawn from the report of the previous 

 year. The distribution of the Whitethroat is somewhat 

 irregular, but it appears to be a common bird in most 

 parts. 



The Lesser Whitethroat. — The returns of 1913 

 contain little fresh information bearing on the increase 

 or decrease of this species. The distribution of the 

 Lesser Whitethroat is " patchy," and it seems to be 

 numerous in few locahties. 



The Whtnchat. — The additional evidence contained 

 in the returns of 1913 strengthens the conclusion already 

 arrived at, that the Whinchat is steadily decreasing 

 and seems to be almost extinct in locahties in which 

 it was comparatively common a few years ago. In a 

 few localities increases are recorded. 



The Redstart. — ^Making every allowance for the 

 fact that the Redstart is " patchy " in its distribution, 

 so far as can be judged from the returns it seems 

 probable that this species is decreasing everywhere. 



