The Zoologist— March, 1866, 119 



The redshant, in his terror, flew up a blind creek, and finding no out- 

 let, settled on the mud, where he remained, while the merlin wheeled 

 over, without, however, attempting to strike him ; but at length, 

 catching sight of me, he went off, leaving the redshank still on the mud, 

 from which he did not attempt to move until I started him. The 

 wonderful speed and activity of the merlin were here well displayed 

 by the manner in which he followed, in all its doublings, a bird of such 

 rapid and irregular flight as a redshank, and I fully believe the latter 

 would hardly have escaped had not I appeared upon the scene. 



Kestrel. — A pair of these birds in the autumn took possession of the 

 roof of a solitary shed that had been erected on the marshes for the use 

 of the cattle. For this post of observation a flock of starlings con- 

 tinually contended, and numerous were the skirmishes that took place, 

 very often ending in the kestrels being driven off for a time. Although 

 I constantly saw one or other of these kestrels apparently surrounded 

 by the starlings, yet I never observed the slightest attempt on their 

 part to retaliate by striking at any of their tormentors. 



Missel Thrush. — I noticed the missel thrushes collecting into flocks 

 about the end of July, at which time they usually become shy and 

 difficult of approach. They breed in the orchards, but each pair 

 appear to consider the ground for a certain distance around the nest 

 private property, driving away with the greatest fury any unfortunate 

 magpie, crow, jay, &c., that presumes to invade their territory. 



Blackbird and Thrush. — Blackbirds and thrushes appear very fond 

 of mulberries ; a tree in the garden was continually under contribution. 

 I have seen a blackbird with his head, throat and breast thoroughly 

 stained with the juice. 



Redstart. — An uncertain visitant, occurring some years in numbers, 

 at other times not to be found at all. In April, 1862, these birds were 

 exceedingly common, while this spring I only observed two, although 

 constantly on the look out for them. They generally make their 

 appearance as soon as the cherry orchards are in bloom, and may con- 

 stantly be heard (when in numbers) till the bloom begins to fall ; they 

 then appear to move inland, a few pairs only remaining to breed. 



Stonechat. — A resident species, in the summer frequenting the 

 higher ground, where it breeds, in the winter appearing on the marshes, 

 where I first noticed it this season on the 29th of September. 



Wheatear. — Appeared as usual in the spring and autumn, on its 

 migration. From its disappearance during the summer months, I fancy 

 it seldom breeds in the locality. 



