NATURAL HISTORY. 



247 



The nest itself is an object of great beauty. It is usually 

 placed on the under side of a fir branch, sheltered by the over- 

 hanging foliage, and sometimes further protected by a large 

 bunch of cones forming a kind of roof over it. The eggs are 



CJ C_- C2 



from six to ten in number, very small, and of a reddish white 

 colour. The length of the bird is three inches and a half. 

 The fourth or fifth primary feather is the longest. 



Sub-family b. Erythaclnce. 

 RUTICILLA. (Lat. sparkling.) 



,-V /tf /,. -ft 



*$ 



m 



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Phcenicura (Gr. <baivu, I display; ovpu, a tail), the Redstart. 



The REDSTART derives its name from the bright reddish 

 chestnut colour of the upper tail coverts and tail feathers, which 

 appear very conspicuous as the bird flits from one tree to an- 

 other, or dashes off when startled. It inhabits the skirts of 

 forests, copses, gardens, and ^especially frequents old ivied walls, 

 where numbers of the nests may be found.* The song of this 

 bird is not very powerful, but the notes are peculiarly sweet. 

 While singing it often changes its situation, occasionally sing- 

 ing as it flies. 



The nest is placed usually in a hole in a wall, or in a hollow 



* In 1847, I found a Redstart's nest built in a hole of a wall, forming one side of a 

 narrow passage in Merton College, Oxford. The eggs were nearly hatched, and the 

 birds did not seem to be disturbed by the constant passing of servants with their 

 paraphernalia of brooms, pails, &c. 



