280 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
ADDENDA.
Song Thrush (p. 72).
Mr. Kerry informs me that a very pale variety, shot near Harwich in the
autumn of 1889, was reported to him as a Golden Oriole !
Redstart (p. 78).
In illustration of the pertinacity with which the Redstart returns year by
year to the same spot, and the wonderful regularity of its annual appearances,
Mr. F, H. Meggy, of Chelmsford, has furnished me with the following notes of
observations, taken between the years 1857 and 1874. They refer to the first
observed appearance of a pair of birds in the garden attached to Mr. Meggy's
house, adjoining the River Cann. The garden is about half an acre in extent,
and close to the town.
The nest was not often found in the garden, but about 1867 it was built in a
crevice between the end of a wall and the post of a door leading from the garden
to the town. The gate was not fifty yards from the house, and the passage-way
running at the back of houses in Museum Terrace was constantly used ; the
nest was robbed. In 1871, the male bird was killed by a cat, a few minutes after
it was first noticed. In 1872, it appeared on Apr. 27 ; in 1874, on May 12. Obser-
vations were discontinued when Mr. Meggy went to reside in London ; but as he
has returned to the house where these observations were made they will no doubt
be continued, if the Redstart still visits the garden.
Bearded Tit (p. 91).
One was observed at Languard L.H., on Feb. 16th, 1887, at 7.40 a.m. It
was very tame, and left at noon (42. ix. 20).
Rock Pipit (p. 190).
Mr. Kerry says that, in the winter of 1889-90, he saw a good many round
Harwich, where he had previously found it scarce.
Great Grey Shrike (p. 103).
Mr. Kerry informs me that one was shot near Harwich on March 4th, 1890.