BLACK R ED START.
RVT1CILLA TITHTS.
TULUE is, I am of opinion, little doubt this species is frequently overlooked. The number of the llhiek Redstarts
that annually make their appearance on certain parts of our shures laiies considerably. It is, however,
seldom that our southern coast-line is not visited, during the latter part of October, by a succession of these
birds gradually working their way towards the west. According to my own observations, the old and young
pursue a somewhat different course when passing along the coast of Sussex during their migration. The adults
keep, as a rule, tu the clilfs along the sea-shore, while the immature birds often penetrate some distance inland.
The chalk cliffs near Hastings and Fuirlighl were regularly resorted to by this species some y am ago; but
of late 1 have nut had an opportunity of searching the locality. Along the precipitous range front Mast bourne
to Brighton 1 have repeatedly recognized this lledatarl in the face of the cliffs, and also at times flying down
to the rocks on the beach. In the west of Sussex I failed to identify more than two or three specimens. The
sheltered coves and steep ravines among the rocks on the Cornish coast appear admirably suited to the
requirements of these birds. I observed them Bitting about the outskirts of several of the vilkiges near the
shore, uud on one occasion noticed au immature bird perched on the esplanade at 1*1 III Will Ml The cluTs
about Itinzcy and Trcwarvas, and again from tin- Logan Book to the Land's End, are a favourile resort;
numbers may be seen on the warm and sheltered ledges when the wind blows strong from the north or east.
On November 3, lSbO, I counted eight or ten immature birds within less than a mile of the Tol pedu pen with ;
and doubtless there were others, scattered over the inaccessible portions of the elill's, which [ failed to delect.
In pursuit of insect-, which appear to form the greater part of their food, I have watched these birds
closely searching the cracks and crannies in the chalk elilt's of Sussex. At limes they would mount upwards
to the grass on the summit, and occasionally extend their flight to some neighbouring wall or farm-buildings,
any heaps of refuse or manure being sure to attract them. I have remarked them darling out on the shingle
banks at the foot of the cliffs, and occasionally inspecting the sea-need and decomposing rubbish washed up
by the tide.
To the best of my knowledge, I never observed a perfectly adult male at any distance inland; tin;
immature birds and females, however, are to be met with in considerable numbers within a mile or two of
Brighton during the latter end of October and November. The dust-heaps, which contain the sweepings of the
Streets as well as all the rubbish collected from the town, arc generally their favourite resorts. They may
also he found in the small allotment gardens perching on the old palings and sheds, and can-fully searching
any ground newly manured or turned. I learn, on referring to my notes, that these birds were remarkably
plentiful in the neighbourhood of Brighton in the autumn of 1S75, three or four specimens not unfrequently
beiug in view at tho same time. Since that season we have been visited by no great numbers, though a
few might generally be detected by closely watching tiieir accustuiued haunts at the date of their passage.
Tho wind and weather, I expect, have much to do with ihe points at which they break their jourucy while