BIRDS. 
107 
some years ago by Mr. Peach. After the heavy easterly 
gale of October 1863, a good many redstarts were observed 
near Wick, and a few miles to the south. It seems certain 
that this species is extending its range here as in other 
parts of Scotland (0. MSS., 1868).i Previous to 1862 it is 
only marked as occasional. 
Mr. Eeid of Wick has noted it at Ackergill, and we 
observed it not uncommonly at Langwell in 1885. 
17. Ruticilla titys (*S'cop.). Black Redstart. 
No record from Sutherland. 
Mentioned in Dr. Sinclair's List. Marked as rare in S. and 
O.'s List (1862). 
Mentioned as " occurring " by Mr. Pteid of Wick. 
Obtained by Mr. Harvie-Brown from the Pentland 
Skerries on March 31, 1884, — an adult male. 
Sub-famUy SYLVIIN^. 
18. Cyanecu\a v/o\f\, C. L. Brehm. White-spotted Bluethroat. 
19. Cyanecula suecica (L.). Red-spotted Bluethroat. 
20. Erythacus rubecula (X.). Redbreast. 
Resident, and common in the east, though nowhere, strictly 
speaking, an abundant species. One day in December 
1882 we observed a number of robins in the Dunrobin 
grounds ; there were at least ten in as many square yards. 
Has increased around Loch Inver in the west, since the 
plantations have got up, and is not uncommon there. 
Common at Tongue. 
A common and resident species. A curious fact is related by 
Mr. Osborne, when a robin in full song died, apparently 
from the effects of fright, on a gun being fired near, not at, 
the bird (0. MSS., 1868). 
1 It is amiising to find some English ornithologists, Seebohm amongst 
others, recording the Redstart as " rare in Scotland." 
