states, where it is a common inhabitant of open woodland disricts. The wood 

 warblers are not our most artful architects, and in this respect the Redstart 

 does not depart from the traditions of its kind. While it builds a rather neat 

 and compact structure of strips of bark, plant fibres and the like, placing it in a 

 sapling not far from the ground, the nest is not the thing of beauty one might 

 be led to expect from such a fairy-like creature. Ornamental as the Redstart is, 

 it possesses other claims on our gratitude, for it is a most active and untiring 

 hunter of insects, such as spittle insects, tree-hoppers and leaf-hoppers, and both 

 orchard and forest trees are benefited by the unceasing warfare it wages. 



The Redstart is the presiding genius of the woodland and grove. He is a 

 bit of a tyrant among the birds, and among his own kind is exceedingly sensitive 

 upon the subject of metes and bounds. As for the insect world he rules it with a 

 rod of iron. See him as he moves about through a file of slender poplars. He 

 flits restlessly from branch to branch, now peering up at the under surface of a 

 leaf, now darting into the air to secure a heedless midge, and pounces upon it 

 with an emphatic snap, now spreading the tail in pardonable vanity or from 

 sheer exuberance of spirits; but ever and anon pausing just long enough to 

 squeeze out a half -scolding song. The pale-colored female, contrary to the usual 

 wont, is not less active nor less noticeable than the male, except as she is re- 

 strained for a season by the duties of incubation. She is ever believed to 

 sing a little on her own account, not because her mate does not sing enough for 

 two, but because she — well, for the same reason that a woman whistles, — and 

 good luck to her ! 



During the mating season great rivalries spring up, and males will chase 

 each other about in most bewildering mazes, like a pair of great fire-flies, and 

 with no better weapons — fighting fire with fire. When the nesting site is chosen 

 the male is very jealous of intruders, and bustles up in a threatening fashion, 

 which quite overawes most birds of guileless intent. 



Redstart's song is sometimes little better than an emphatescent squeak. At 

 other times his emotion fades after the utterance of two to three notes, and the 

 last one dies out. 



One knows exactly where to look for Redstart's nests, but for all that it is 

 not easy to see a "knot" in the fork of a young sapling, matched to a nicety 

 vdth the surrounding bark, and often hidden by a leaf or two — not many, but just 

 enough. The fabric is a model of daintiness and close weaving. Strips of the 

 inner bark of common milkweed or shredded grapevine bark form the bulk of 

 the nest. The structure does not often embrace the sustaining branches, but the 

 ends of its component strips are made fast to the rough bark of the sapling; 

 besides this, frequent guy ropes and stays of gossamer are thrown out. A snug 

 lining of roller grass and horse-hair completes the home, which measures com- 

 monly one and seven-eighths inches across and one and a half inches deep inside. 

 Two broods are sometimes raised in a season. 



229 



