Birds. 9609 



daws and a kestrel or two. Though informed that gulls were forsaking 

 these cliffs I was not prepared for such complete desertion, but the 

 season being a late one they may be looked for yet. 



Sparrowhaick.— On the 21st of April 1 saw a sparrowhawk chased 

 away from the sea-cliffs by a pair of pied wagtails; though it flew out 

 to sea the pursuit was continued for sometime. 



Mitrtiii. — April 22. Martin first seen. Thermometer 62* at 9 A. M. 



Dnilford WarUer.—k\W\\ 22. This species, I believe, is breeding. 

 Having watched the male bird for half an hour or more it did not 

 wander fifty yards, but flitting from bush to bush, in circular flight, 

 would return to the same spot, though nothing was seen of the female. 

 Macgillivray compares its flight to that of the bushchat, but I think it 

 very different, though somewhat similar to that of the whitelhroat and 

 redstart. Unlike the slonechat, it more frequently alights on a side 

 branch than on the topmost twig of the furze; nor does it remain so 

 long stationary, but after a short pause creeps in or glides through the 

 bush, and coming out at the lower part flits o(f to another, with a low 

 and wavering, not a "jerking flight," its long and slender tail bending 

 to the breeze, like that of the wagtail and longtailed titmouse. It is 

 rather a handsome little bird, but the elevated head and tail, when 

 seated, give it a somewiiat peculiar appearance. Though the wings 

 are not jerked or in constant motion, like the stonechat's, they are 

 frequently extended as it creeps along, and the tail is flirted about. 

 Considering its shy and retiring habits, it is difficult to account for its 

 not being a more numerous species; however, as it is one of the {'i.'H 

 non-migratory insect-eaters, some may perish of a severe winter. 

 April 25. A young bird has been seen to-day, its tail but about a third 

 of an inch long, and the plumage duller and more puffed out than that 

 of the adult. Though Montagu remarks that "it is rather an early 

 breeder," having young "early in the month of May," I hardly 

 expected to find a young bird strong on the wing by the 25th of April, 

 the season backward too. 



Blackcap Warbler. — First heard on the 27th of April. 



Bedihroated Dicer. — In answer to Mr. Jeffery's query (Zool. 9580), 

 "Has it been satisfactorily proved that this species, after having ob- 

 tained the red patch, retains it through the winter?" I beg to refer 

 him to Montagu, but as his work may not be at hand I will quote 

 from it: — " On the throat is a patch of chestnut-red. * * * The 

 bird from which this description is taken was killed at Hastings, in 

 Sussex, in the winter of 1795." Even Mr. Jeffery's remarks lend to 

 prove it, as he says three redthroated specimens have come under his 

 VOL. XXIII. 2 G 



