58 BBITISH BIRDS 



The redstart is found from April to the end of August throughout 

 England and Wales, but is nowhere common ; in Scotland and 

 Ireland he is rare. He is, nevertheless, a better-known bird to 

 people in the country districts than some of the migratory songsters 

 which are more abundant. Not, however, on account of his song, 

 which is inferior to most, but partly because he ' affects neighbour- 

 hoods,' as Gilbert White says, and partly on account of his pure and 

 prettily contrasted colours — the white forehead, slaty grey upper 

 parts, and chestnut rump and tail. The bright-coloured tail, 

 which he flirts often as he flits before you, quickly attracts the eye. 

 ' Firetail ' is a common name for this bird. Redstart is Saxon for 

 redtail. When seen perched upright and motionless he resembles 

 the robin in figure, but does not seek his food so much on the 

 ground, and in his restless disposition and quick, lively motions, 

 he is like the warblers. A peculiarity of the redstart is his fondness 

 for old walls ; he is attracted by them to orchards and gardens, 

 where he is most often seen, although always a shy bird in the 

 presence of man. 



Seebohm says : ' As the wheatear is the tenant of the cairns, the 

 rocks, and the ruins of the wilds, in like manner the redstart may 

 be designated a bird of the ruins and the rocks in the lower, warmer, 

 and more cultivated districts. You will find it in orchards and 

 gardens, about old walls, and in the more open woods and shrub- 

 beries. Another favourite haunt of the redstart is old crumbling 

 ruins, abbeys, and castles, on whose battlements ancl still massive 

 walls, ivy-covered and moss-grown, it delights to sit and chant its 

 short and monotonous song.' 



The song consists of one short phrase, dropping to a low twitter 

 at the end, which varies in different singers ; but the opening note 

 is always a beautiful expressive sound. 



The redstart feeds on small beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and 

 grubs, which it picks up in v/alls, trees, and bushes ; and on gnats, 

 flies, and butterflies, captured on the wing after the manner of the 

 flycatcher. 



The nest is almost always made in a hole, usually in an old 

 stone wall, but occasionally in a hole in a tree, and sometimes in the 

 cleft formed by two branches. It is loosely built with dry grass 

 and moss, and lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are four to 

 six in number ; sometimes as many as eight, or even ten, are laid. 

 They resemble the hedge-sparrow's eggs, being of a uniform greenish 

 blue colour. 



