OBSERVATIONS ON BIRDS IN MID -WALES. 133 



Occasionally the birds will scold vigorously in mid-winter. Inland 

 I have only seen the Stonechat on the sides of the Wye Valley 

 about Rhayader. 



Whinchat, P. rubetra. Not numerous. First seen in 1892, 

 April 30th ; 1893, April 22nd ; 1894, April 25th. 



Wheatear, Saxicola oenanthe. First seen, 1892, March 20th; 



1893, March 12th ; 1894, March 18th. Last seen, 1891, October 

 18th. The female is said to be later by at least a fortnight, but 

 in 1893 I noted one on March 22nd. By the end of the month 

 Wheatears are found in all parts of the hill-district, up to the 

 tops of Cader Idris and Plynlimmon. The first birds to arrive 

 at Aberystwyth are those which stay the summer, but migration 

 continues for six or eight weeks. Thus in 1892 the chief passage 

 took place about March 30th, and was nearly over by April 3rd ; 

 but fresh arrivals were still to be seen in May of that year as late 

 as the 20th of the month. I imagine that these later birds go very 

 far north. The Wheatear's absence from this district scarcely 

 exceeds five months. On April 19th, 1893, at Borth, I watched 

 a male bird whose breast was of as rich a buff colour as that of 

 the Whinchat. 



Song Thrush, Turdus musicus. 



Redwing, T. iliacus. Only numerous after a fall of snow, 

 when many pass down the coast with Starlings and Skylarks. 



Missel Thrush, T. viscivorus. 



Fieldfare, T. 'pilaris. Scarcely seen at Aberystwyth, except 

 in time of snow or frost. None this winter up to the present 

 date (Dec. 21st). Late in March I have found small parties in 

 the upland districts near Plynlimmon and on the slopes of the 

 Brecon Beacons. 



Blackbird, T. merula. 



Ring Ouzel, T. torquatus. Finds few localities to suit it 

 upon the Cardiganshire side of the mountains, but is numerous 

 in the more rocky valleys of the Upper Wye, Towy, and Yrfon. 

 May be seen in summer up to the top of Cader Idris and Aran 

 Mawddy. First seen, J 892, March 28th; 1893, March 29th ; 



1894, March 25th. 



Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus. Absent from the Ystwyth, and 

 from other streams which are fouled by lead-washings, but is 

 numerous upon the upper waters of the Wye and Tow t y. It 

 follows up the streams as far as the Teifi pools (1700 ft), and to 

 within a short distance of the top of Cader Idris. 



