Birds. 



8819 



times in the autumnal migration at ihe Scilly Isles ; and I now record the occurrence 

 of one, apparently a bird of the year, during the past week, at Scilly, and agreeing in 

 plumage with one I have in my collection from the same locality. From little or no 

 acquaintance with this species I am induced to suggest whether the black plumage 

 yields in the autumn to the more leaden tone of colour of such as I have observed 

 from Scilly. I may add here that in no instance have I seen or heard of the 

 uightingale occurring in Scilly or in any part of Cornwall. — Edward llearle Rodd ; 

 October, 1863. 



Golden Oriole in the Isle of Wight. — A magnificent male specimen of the golden 

 oriole was shot here, by a labouring man, on the 10th of September. I purchased the 

 bird, and have it still in my possession. — H. Rogers ; Freshwater, Isle of Wight. * 



Scarcity of Redstarts. — I have noticed a great difference iu the number of these 

 birds, particularly within the last thirty years ; but for this I cannot account, except 

 from the great increase of population, and the consequent overplus of mischievous 

 boys. These birds generally build near the habitations of man ; but they are cer- 

 tainly not taken by birdcatchers for their song. — H. W. Newman ; Hillside, Chelten- 

 ham, October 5, 1863. 



A Word for the Stonechat. — An opportunity was lately afforded me of watching 

 the prodigious quantity of insects (particularly larvae) this species devours in the space 

 of even a few seconds. I have recently been staying in a neighbourhood much fre- 

 quemed by the stonechat, and I cannot express the delight I experienced to sit and 

 watch a solitary bird alight upon a cabbage, and in the most energetic manner pos- 

 sible take the larvae off the leaves with incredible alacrity, then dart at some unlucky 

 fly. I observed the stonechat diligently pursuing his captures from day's dawn to the 

 close of night's sable curtain. I hope those residing in localities frequented by this 

 bird will, from these facts, afford, them protection. — S. P. Saville. 



The Dartford Warbler on the Banks of the Thames at Woolwich. — When out 

 shooting ou October 1st, I saw, hopping about in some blackthorn-bushes on the 

 banks of the river, a bird, which, from its small size and mouse-like movements, ap- 

 peared strange to me. It kept so near the ground that it was with difficulty I could 

 get a shot, which only wounded it. I scrambled through the bushes as quickly as 

 possible, but only in time to see it run into a rat's hole. After a fruitless attempt to 

 rake it out with my ramrod, I left the spot ; but on returning some time afterwards to 

 the same bushes I found it fluttering about in them, and, finding I could not catch it, 

 fired a second time, fortunately killing it. On examining the bird I found it to be a 

 fine male specimen of the Dartford warbler. In the stomach I found some small 

 grasshoppers and the wing-case of a small green beetle. When I fired the first time 

 it uttered a cry somewhat similar to the squeak of a .mouse. — H. Whiteii/,jun. ; 

 Woolivich, October 20, 1863. 



Gray Wagtail (Motacilla boarula) an Autumn Visitor to Shetland. —Several of this 

 species have lately arrived in Unst, and may now be seen actively searching for food 

 upon various parts of the coast. The stomach of one of these birds, shot by me 

 to-day, contained small marine univalves, a few minute fragments of sea-weeds, some 

 grains of sand, and some (lies. It is perhaps chiefly in order to obtain the latter that 

 the bird frequents lee places upon the shore which are fully exposed to the warmth of 

 the sun. In pursuit of these flies it displays great activity, running swiftly and 

 catching them as they skim above the ground, and sometimes, though very seldom, 

 rising upon the wing to take one which would otherwise be out of reach. I have so 



