98 BIRDS OV KOKFOLK. 



PHCENICURA RUTICILLA, Swainson. 



EEDSTAET. 



A common summer visitant appearing early in April, 

 tliongli sometimes seen by tlie middle of March, and 

 almost rivalling the redbreast in the singular localities 

 occasionally selected for nesting purposes. This beautiful 

 species, or at least the male bird, with, its white fore- 

 head and rich black throat, is one of the most striking 

 of our southern migrants, and when perched on a 

 low branch or stake in our gardens, constantly jerking 

 his tail and uttering his sweet and peculiar song, 

 attracts deserved attention. Its dexterity as a fly- 

 catcher is something marvellous, springing up into the 

 air and seizing three or four insects one after the other 

 before returning to its perch, and so quick sighted is it, 

 that I have seen one dart off the ground and capture a 

 fly from the wall many feet above it, the sharp tap of 

 the beak upon the bricks being heard at some distance. 

 Year after year it appears with singular regularity in 

 the same locality, seeking, if undisturbed, the same 

 favourite spot for its nest; and like the redbreast 

 and hedge sparrow frequents the walled-in gardens of 

 our towns and cities, as well as the orchards and groves 

 of the open country. At my father's residence, in 

 Surrey-street, a pair always frequented the garden in 

 summer, and were a source of no little pleasure to me, 

 as a boy, when I anxiously watched for their appear- 

 ance in spring, speculating as to where they would 

 build next. One year, to my great surprise, they nested 

 under the tiles of an adjoining house, in just such a 

 locahty as a sparrow would choose, but in these matters 

 they are peculiarly eccentric. Elegant in form, sprightly 



