lU.ACK REDSTART. 
RVTICILLA TITIIYS. 
liitHE US, l am of opinion, little doubt this species is frequently overlooked. The number of the Black Eedstarts 
that annually make their appearance on certain parts of our shores varies considerably. It is, however 
seldom that our soutlierii eoasWine is not visited, during the latter part of October, by a succession of these 
111 s „ia ua y woi -iiig their way towards the west. According to my own observations, the old and youn<r 
pursue a somewhat different course when passing along the coast of Sussex during their migration. The adults 
cep as a rule, to the cliffs along the sea-shore, while the immature birds often penetrate some distance inland. 
of hte i‘f r“‘' »SO; lilt 
o Bit it™ 1 r “ '“-Illy' Along the precipitous range from Eastbourne 
to Biighton I have repeatedly recognised this Redstart in the face of the cliffs, and also at times flying down 
0 he rocks on the beach. In the west of Siissc.x I failed to identify more than two or three specimens! The 
e teied coves and steep ravines among the rocks on the Cornish coast appear admirably suited to the 
requirements of these birds. I observed them flitting about the outskirts of several of the villages near the 
s lore and on one occasion noticed an immature bird perched on the esplanade at Pensance. The cliffs 
abou Rlnzey and Trewarvas, and again from the Logan Hock to the Laud’s End, are a favourite resort- 
Em ember 8, 1880, I counted eight or ten immature birds within less than a mile of the Tol pedn penwith • 
doubtless there were others, scattered over the inaccessible portions of the cliffs, which I failed to detect ’ 
closely searching the cracks and crannies in the chalk cliffs of Sussex. At times they would mount upivards 
to the grass on the summit, and oecasionally extend their flight to some neighbouring wall or farm-buildiue-s 
any heaps of refuse or manure being sure to attract them. I have remarked them dartim. out on the shin^l! 
'rtheZ -l^Wsh washed “up 
To the best of my knowledge, I never observed a perfectly adult male at any distance inland ■ the 
mmature birds and females, however, are to be met with in considerable numbers within a mile or two of 
Brig ton during the latter end of October and November. The dust-heaps, which contain the sweepin” o7tlm 
also be found in the small allotment gardens perching on the old palings and sheds, and carefully searcll 
y ^ “™ly manured or turned. I learn, on referring to my notes, that these birds were remarkabh- 
plentiful m the neighbourhood of Brighton in the autumn of 1875, three or four specimens not unfrequentlj 
being in view at the same time. Since that season we have been visited by no great number, 
few might generally be detected by closely watching their accustomed haunts at the date of their nZ 
The wind and weather, I expect, have much to do with the points at which they break their journey Ze 
