638 Birds. 



but after an absence of some days the male returned, was caught alive, 

 having taken refuge from its pursuers in a hole in a bank, and brought 

 to my friend Mr. Dawson. It beat itself violently against the bars of 

 its cage ; and being consequently allowed to fly about the room, was 

 next morning found dead. 



These and the two specimens in my collection, are the only instan- 

 ces of the occurrence of the black redstart I have been able to ascer- 

 tain. The one, an adult male, I shot on the sea-cliffs at Bonchurch, 

 December 2, 1842 ; and the other, a female, at Luccombe, January 

 2, 1844. 



The Stonechat is very abundant, and breeds early. In 1843 I found 

 a nest on St. Boniface Down, containing four eggs, as early as April 8. 



The Whinchat is by no means common. I think, however, it must 

 breed with us, as I once saw a female in the month of June. 



The Wheatear is abundant along the coast, and many pairs breed 

 with us. I have more than once found its nest in a hole in the cliff, 

 two or three feet only below the summit, and quite as many feet deep. 

 It frequents the shore, and feeds freely on the sandhopper. The sex- 

 es migrate separately, the male appearing first. I once saw a solitary 

 male on the sea- shore, as late as October 21st. 



The Grasshopper Warbler I have not succeeded in meeting with. 

 My authority for its insertion is Mr. Butler, who has frequently ob- 

 tained it in the marshy ground about Yarmouth. Mr. Butler's de- 

 scription both of the bird, and of its habits, was too accurate to admit 

 the possibility of mistake. Dr. Bromfield also has frequently heard 

 its note. But whatever may have been my disappointment in failing 

 to obtain the bird, I was, on June 12th of this year (1844), abundantly 

 gratified by having brought to me the nest containing four newly laid 

 eggs. It was found half way down the Culver cliff, which is about 

 400 feet high. The nest is composed externally of seaweed chiefly, 

 with some lichens ; then grass bents ; and is lined with finer bents 

 and fibrous roots. The man who found it had seen similar nests only 

 once or twice before. 



The Sedge Warbler I have obtained in Newchurch marshes, where 

 it is abundant. 



The Reed Warbler, its usual companion, I have also found in the 

 same locality. 



The Nightingale is generally distributed, and abundant over the 

 island. Dr. Bromfield informs me, on the authority of two credible 

 witnesses, that its song was heard, three or four years ago, in the month 

 of February. 



