EGGS OF BEITISH BIBDS. 187 



THE REDSTART. 

 (Rutidlla phcenicurus. ) 



Plate 51, Fig. 12. 



This handsome Jittle bird is of somewhat local distribution in 

 the British Islands, and can nowhere be said to be of very common 

 occurrence. The Kedstart breeds throughout Central Europe as 

 far north as the Arctic circle. In South Europe it is rarely seen, 

 except on spring and autumn migration, although a few remain to 

 breed at high elevations, usually selecting the pine regions for this 

 purpose. It winters in North Africa. In Asia its range during 

 the breeding season extends eastwards as far as the valley of the 

 Yenisei, and the winter home of these Asiatic birds appears to be 

 in Persia. 



May is the Redstart's nesting season. We must not seek its 

 nests amongst the branches, nor yet amidst the brambles or 

 vegetation on the ground, but always in some hole, well protected 

 from the wind ; holes in walls and trees are, as a rule, selected ; 

 but most peculiar sites are sometimes chosen — for example, gate- 

 posts, flower pots and crevices under the eaves. Indeed, in this 

 respect the Redstart is almost as famous as the Robin. 



The eggs are usually five or six in number, occasionally seven, 

 and even eight. They are of a paler blue and are more highly 

 polished than those of the Hedge Accentor, and the shell is far 

 more fragile. They vary in length from 0'8 to 0'7 inch, and in 

 breadth from 0"57 to 05 inch. 



THE BLACK REDSTART. 

 (Ruticilla tithys.) 



Plate 51, Fig. 5. 



The Black Redstart is a regular winter visitant to the whole of 

 the south coast of England, and is not uncommon in Cornwall ; 

 but there is no positive evidence that it has ever bred in the 

 British Islands. The geographical distribution of the Black 

 Redstart during the breeding season is a somewhat peculiar one. 

 In the south it extends from Portugal through Algeria to 

 Palestine. Northwards its range becomes more restricted, and 

 apparently does not extend east of the valleys of the Dniester and 



