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found that if two are placed in an aviary they will 

 fight almost immediately, but if three or more are put 

 in together they agree ver}- well and do not injure 

 each other to any extent. A cage, however, say 2ft. by 

 loins. by i5ins. high would be suitable. The bath must 

 not be overlooked, as Redstarts are very fond of bathing. 



Redstarts leave their breeding ground immediately 

 the}' have finished moulting, although I believe they do 

 not actually leave England until the end of September. 

 After the autumn moult the breast and throat feathers 

 are edged with white, which gives the general plumage a 

 very pretty effect, although from an exhibition point of 

 view I think they look best without the white edging. 

 Redstarts are much more easily caught in the autumn 

 and are then ver}- readily " meated-off." I have found 

 them eat hard boiled egg the second da}^ after capture. 

 The young ones are of very little use for exhibition the 

 first year — in fact for a large Show they would be no 

 good at all. 



The hens soon get very tame in confinement, but 

 beyond this they have very little to recommend them. 

 The general colour is a greyish brown, rather lighter on 

 the forehead, and the tail feathers are much duller. The 

 young cocks, after the first autumn moult, are very like 

 the hens excepting for a little breast colour and the 

 brighter tail feathers. The\' seldom come into adult 

 plumage until the April after they are hatched. 



The chief cause of death, so far as my experience 

 goes, is that the bird gets some affection in the throat 

 which causes it to "gape" continually, and, in the 

 course of about a week, to die. I have tried several 

 remedies, but so far have been unable to find a cure. 

 Perhaps some of our members can give me a few hints 

 as to the proper treatment. 



