All the Guernsey Dippers I have seen, including the two in the Museum, which are probably Guernsey-killed, have been the common form, Cinclus aquations.  The dark-breasted form, Cinclus melanogaster, may occur as an occasional wanderer, though the Channel Islands are somewhat out of its usual range.  There being no trout or salmon to be protected in Guernsey, the Dipper has not to dread the persecution of wretched keepers who falsely imagine that it must live entirely by the destruction of salmon and trout ova, though the contrary has been proved over and over again.

Professor Ansted includes the Dipper in his list, but only marks it as occurring in Guernsey.

22.  MISTLETOE THRUSH. Turdus viscivorus, Linnaeus.  French, “Merle Draine,” “Grive Draine.”—­I quite agree with the remarks made by Professor Newton, in his edition of ‘Yarrell,’ as to the proper English name of the present species, and that it ought to be called the Mistletoe Thrush.  I am afraid, however, that the shorter appellation of Missel Thrush will stick to this bird in spite of all attempts to the contrary.  In Guernsey the local name of the Mistletoe Thrush is “Geai,” by which name Mr. Metivier mentions it in his ’Dictionary of Guernsey and Norman French.’  He also adds that the Jay does not exist in this Island.  This is to a certain extent confirmed by Mr. MacCulloch, who says he is very doubtful as to the occurrence of the Jay in the Island, and adds that the local name for the Mistletoe Thrush is “Geai.”  Mr. Gallienne, in a note to Professor Ansted’s list, confirms the scarcity of the Jay, as he says the Rook and the Jay are rarely seen here, although they are indigenous to Jersey.  The local name “Geai” may perhaps have misled him as to the occasional appearance of the Jay.  I have never seen a real Jay in Guernsey myself.

As far as I am able to judge from occasional visits to the Island for the last thirty years the Mistletoe Thrush has greatly increased in numbers in Guernsey, especially within the last few years, and Mr. MacCulloch and others who are resident in the Island quite agree with me in this.  I do not think its numbers are much increased at any time of year by migrants, though a few foreigners may arrive in the autumn, at which time of year considerable numbers of Mistletoe Thrushes are brought into the Guernsey market, where they may be seen hanging in bunches with Common Thrushes, Redwings, Blackbirds, Fieldfares, Starlings, and an occasional Ring Ouzel.  Fieldfares and Mistletoe Thrushes usually sell at fourpence each, the rest at fourpence a couple.

Professor Ansted mentions it in his list, but confines it to Guernsey and Sark.  This is certainly not now the case, as I have seen it nearly as numerous in Alderney and Herm as any of the other Islands.  There is a specimen in the Museum.