132 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The only other route which it appears that migrants might 

 take, if wishing to avoid crossing the mountains, is that made 

 use of by the Cambrian Kailway. Leaving the Severn, it follows 

 up a tributary stream to its source, crosses the " divide " at no 

 great height, and runs down into Cardiganshire beside an affluent 

 of the Dovey. I think, perhaps on slender evidence, that the 

 migrants find their way into the county through this break in the 

 hills, and thus approach Aberystwyth from the north. This 

 appears likely from the fact that the Redstart and Tree Pipit are 

 usually to be heard at Glandovey two or three days before they 

 are noted at Aberystwyth. I have given the dates of arrival of 

 most of the summer migrants for the past three seasons, in the 

 hope that comparison with others noted elsewhere may throw 

 some light on migration routes. 



If space permits, I hope on a later occasion to call attention 

 to several particulars in which the avifauna of Pembrokeshire 

 offers interesting points of comparison with that of Cardigan- 

 shire. At present I can only acknowledge my indebtedness to 

 ' The Birds of Pembrokeshire ' and its author. 



Passeres. 



Redstart, Ruticilla phoenicurus. Usually said to be of un- 

 common occurrence in Western Wales, but visits many localities 

 about Aberystwyth, and in those which are suited to its habits. 

 In Llyfnant Valley, for example, it is abundant. 



Black Redstart, R. titys. A female or immature male was 

 seen by Mr. F. T. Fielden, of Borth, in the winter of 1886-87, 

 sitting upon some railings beside the railway-line. 



Redbreast, Erithacus rubecula. 



Stonechat, Pratincola rubicola. A few pairs about furze- 

 grown hill-sides near the sea, frequenting the same spots year 

 after year, and never increasing in number. They do not leave 

 us in time of snow or frost, but, in company with Pipits, find 

 insect-food about the seaweed-heaps on the beach. The males 

 begin to sing on quiet evenings about March 1st. Laying some- 

 times begins by the end of that month. The usual date of 

 hatching is April 20th, and the young leave the nest by May 2nd. 

 Three days later I have seen the hen-bird carrying materials for 

 a second nest* The young birds do not appear upon the tops of 

 the furze-bushes till some days after they have left the nest. 



