'24 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



through the year. And I do not think such a place exists. 

 Birds do not seem to sing in their winter quarters when those 

 quarters are not regularly inhabited in the breeding season by 

 any individuals of the same species. Eobins were not singing 

 in the oases near the Gulf of Gabes in January and February. 

 Nor were Willow- Wrens and Chiffchaffs in Southern Tunis in 

 March (e.g., the 14th). On the other hand, the Black Bedstart, 

 another near relation of the Nightingale, sings in autumn and 

 early winter in those countries where it is resident, as a species 

 at all events. I heard a good many singing in October (9th-13th) 

 in the Belgian Ardennes, where it seemed to be going to pass 

 the winter. Mr. Howard Saunders told me he had heard it 

 in Spain in November ; and Mr. W. C. Tait writes that in 

 Portugal, where it breeds, it begins to sing from the middle to 

 the end of February, and continues till the end of June. After 

 the autumn moult it recommences its song in September, and 

 goes on till nearly the end of December (' Ibis,' 1887, p. 88). 

 But though the Black Bedstart (a non-breeder here) winters in 

 parts of England, it does not seem to sing here. The late Mr. 

 Gatcombe constantly reported seeing it near Plymouth, but I do 

 not remember his ever saying anything about it singing. 



Since writing the above notes I have read (' British Birds,' 

 vol. ix, p. 185) an account of a pair of Black Bedstarts in 

 Dorsetshire, the male of which uttered a " faint but pleasing 

 warble " on a warm sunny day in the latter part of February. 

 The description, however, does not suggest the full song of this 

 bird. Bedwings often sing some sweet twittering notes before 

 they leave us in spring, which are mistaken for the Bedwing's 

 full song by those who are not personally acquainted with it. 

 It is to be noted that the Bedwing has several times been 

 reported to have nested in this country. 



