68 A CATALOGUE OF THK lUKDS 



of tlic feathers. In Ms history of "British Birds" Mr. Goukl 

 has figured, for the young, a male in this fresh state of phmiage. 



The nest plumage is, above, brown, vrith a pale russet sjjot at 

 the end of each feather; below, it is of a pale yellow ochre 

 colour, each feather having a dusky margin. The changes of the 

 plumage of this species are well described by Degiand and Gcrbe, 

 in their " Ornithologie Europeenne." 



The tipper figure in our Plate (VII.) represents the female, the 

 middle figure the male, both in mature plumage, just after the 

 autumnal moult ; the lower figure represents the young in nest 

 plumage. 



72. Black llEDsxAirr. 11. tithys, SvojjoU. 



PliKulcura tlthjs, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 26-1. 

 liuticilla ,, Degiand et Uerbe, Urn. Europ., I., 440. 



This is an extremely rare visitant, usually considered a winter 

 visitant ; but it ought, perhaps, to be looked upon as a spring- 

 und-autumu migrant, like its congener the common Eedstart; that 

 this is the case is rendered probable by the fact that it occa- 

 sionally nests in the British Islands. 



In 1840, a fine male example Avas shot at Cresswell, and is 

 now in the possession of Cresswell Baker, Esq. In 1845, a pair 

 nested in the garden of the late Rev. James Eaine, tlic historian 

 of Durham, in that city ; and I am indebted to Mr. Wm. Proctor 

 for their nest, Avhicli is now in my collection. An egg belonging 

 to it was kindly presented to me by the Ilev. James Eaine, son 

 of the above-named gentleman, xbiother bird, a male, was killed 

 at Cullercoats in 1856 ; and, in March of tlie following year, a fe- 

 male was shot at the same place. These tAvo examples, for one 

 of Avhich I am indebted to the liberality of Mr. C. M. Adamson, 

 tire now in my possession. 



This species has the same change of plumage as the common 

 lledstai-t ; but it is not so striking, as tlie colours are less marked. 

 The first or nest pluuiage is pretty uniformly of an ash grey, but 

 on tlic belly and Acnt it is paler, the neck. In-east, and flanks are 



