BIRDS. 
This species was recorded as occurring rarely at Lybster, 
one only having been observed there in June 1861. Since 
Mr. Osborne's observations it has been seen by Mr. W. 
Eeid, and Mr. Harvie-Brown found it at Thurso, and again 
a single bird at Langwell in 1885. 
Ruticilla phcenicurus (L.). Redstart. 
A summer visitant to the east, and extending its range, as it 
is now found a considerable distance up several of the 
straths in the district, where there is sufficient wood for 
shelter and food. In 1870 it was not such a common bird 
as it is now in the Dunrobin district. In the north of the 
county it is reported as rarer in 1877 than formerly, "and 
none for the last five years," by Mr. J. Crawford, but we 
have found it increasing of late years in the west of the 
county, and spreading down the valleys towards the sea. 
Observed at Altnaharrow in 1881, as early as 1878 near 
Loch Inver ; and bred and reared young at Inchnadamph 
for the first time in 1880 (MS. of E. E. A}). Proceeding 
westward, up to 1875 we only remember seeing it on two 
occasions in the county — once at Loch Awe in the west, 
and once at Eosehall, but as early as 1834 Selby saw it at 
the latter locality, and also at Oykel Bridge. 
Eeported as absent from Inchnadamph, in the west, in 
June 1885, in which year there was a remarkably cold 
spring and summer (J. Young, in lit., June 10, 1885). 
In 1864 an unusual migration of this species occurred upon 
the Caithness coast on or about the dates of 8th, 9th, 10th 
October, with a furious south-east gale, as recorded by Mr. 
Osborne (Field, Jan. 9, 1864). 
Until lately a comparatively rare species in Caithness. 
In May 1867, Mr. Osborne records the capture of a pair near 
Pulteneytown. In S. and O.'s List it is marked as occasional 
prior to 1862. It has been reported also from Dunbeath 
1 MS. of E. E. A.=MS. of the late Edward R. Alston. 
