355: 



lose iiiatiy birds at nii^ht before I started the lamp, but 

 this winter, and also last winter, none have died. I con- 

 sider light at night to be of the utmost importance in an 

 aviary where small foreign birds are kept. 



THE REDSTART. 



By S. A. Sandy. 



I think this bird can safely be described as the most 

 gorgeously plumaged of our summer visitors, and one 

 that is much admired, both at home and when seen on 

 the Show Bench, for its bold carriage and variety of 

 colour. The peculiar shaking of the tail seldom fails 

 to attract attention. 



The Redstart (or, as it is called in some parts of the 

 countr\', the " Firetail") usuall}' arrives about the second 

 week in April, and seems to frequent the same localities 

 year after year. If the day be sunny, and you hit upon 

 the right spot, you are almost sure to hear his shrill and 

 pleasant song, as he will probably be sitting at the top 

 of some tall tree — but to catch a glimpse of him is a 

 more difiEicult matter. You will have to watch, and wait 

 patiently until he descends to some likely spot, frequently 

 an ant hill, in search of food : when, with a pair of 

 glasses, you should be able to get a good view of him. 



In the spring the adult male bird has the throat 

 glossy jet black ; fore-head white, extending, in an old 

 bird, as far back as the eye ; back light slate blue ; wings 

 dark greyish brown ; breast bright reddish brown, light- 

 er towards the under tail coverts, rump and tail chest- 

 nut, except the two centre feathers, which are 

 a darker brown ; legs almost black. They vary some- 

 what in size, but the average is slightly over five inches. 

 When seen against a background of bushes with the 

 leaves just out and of a fresh green tint, the bird looks 

 very beautiful. The flight is very like that of the Fly- 

 catcher, in fact the Redstart, to my thinking, resembles 



