THE BLACKSTART 81 



also in Asia Elinor, Persia, and Japan. In our westorn cni;nties it is 

 not mucli seen, and is very rare in Ireland. 



It builds a loosely constructed nest of moss, dry grass, and louvrs, 

 with a lining of feathers and hair, placing it frequently in a hole in 

 an old wall, under the eaves of a house, in a hollow tree, or in tlie 

 fork formed by the branches, or wherever sufficient support and shelter 

 is offered; an old watering pot, flower pots, the ventilator of a stable, 

 the narrow space between the upright iron on which a garden door was 

 hung, the bottom of the nest resting on the hinge, and liable to bo 

 shaken every time the door was opened, — -these are some of the strange 

 places chosen by the Redstart for building. 



The bird is said to manifest great attachment to one spot, coming 

 back year after year to renew its labour of love; the female sits very 

 closely, and will often suffer herself to be touched and handled, without 

 quitting her nest, and both birds are most attentive to, and careful of, 

 the young brood; on one occasion the male having been killed, another 

 joined the female, and took the place of the deceased father. The eggs 

 are unspotted, of a light greenish blue colour, generally from four to 

 six in number, sometimes seven, or even eight. They are smaller and 

 more delicate in shape than those of the Dunnock, which they resemble 

 in colour. The song of this bird is soft, sweet, and melodious; it has 

 been heard as early as three in the morning, and as late as ten at night; 

 the cry of anger or alarm Macgillivi'ay likens to the syllables ol-rlii't. 

 All kinds of insects and worms, or caterpillars, and fruits and berries, 

 arc eatcu by this species. 



THE BLACKSTART, 



(Sylvia tythus.) 



PLATE v. FIGUEE VI. 



There is some doubt as to the meaning of this generic term ti/l/nif:, 

 Morris gives it up, and no other naturalist, that we are aware, at- 

 tempts to explain it. Latham calls the bird Si/Ivia Gibraltar iensis, 

 the Gibraltar Warbler; according to Macgillivray, it is the Black- 

 breasted Redstart, others name it the Black Redstart, the Black Red- 

 tail, and the Tythus Redstart. It is distinguished from the bird last 



M 



