29 



THE REDSTART. 



Ruticilla ])lioenicnrus (L.) 



The records of the Redstart in 1905 show a most 

 unexpectedly uneven distribution, for although the bird 

 was fairly common in Wales and the north of England, 

 it was apparently exceptionally scarce in the south and 

 east. 



Three distinct immigrations may be noted, the first and 

 most important of which took place between the 9th and 

 12th of April along the south coast from Dorset to Kent. 

 These birds moved on rapidly to the north and north-west 

 so that by the 15th there were but few left in the south, 

 whilst in Shropshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and the north 

 they were reported commonly after that date. 



The second immigration was considerably smaller and 

 was noticed chiefly in Hampshire. It began on April 

 18th, after which date there was a slight increase of birds 

 in the south, but they were still in much smaller numbers 

 than is usual. 



On April 27th and 28th the third movement, which 

 extended from Hampshire to Kent, was rej)orted from the 

 lighthouses. 



The land-observers made no note of this movement, 

 and the numbers of birds inland showed no increase. It 

 seems, therefore, probable that these immigrants were 

 passing through the country, or probably eastwards along 

 the south and northwards along the east coasts, en route 

 for northern Europe, a view that is streng-thened by the 

 fact that Redstarts appeared at the Would Light off the 

 coast of Norfolk on April 29th and May 2nd. 



