318 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



THE REDSTART 



(Ruticilla phoenicurus). 

 Plate 119. 



The name ' Redstart "" means ' Redtail,' and is the 

 appropriate title of this genus. In all the plumages — 

 and this group is exceptional among the Thrushes for 

 the difference in plumage between male and female — the 

 central tail-feathers are bright red. The tail is frequently 

 brought into prominence, also, by the ' Wagtail "■ habit 

 of the birds. This is not nearly so marked as in the 

 Wagtails themselves, and the movement, moreover, is from 

 side to side, not up and down. 



The adult male is a quite unmistakable bird. Imma- 

 ture and female birds might perhaps be confused with 

 the corresponding members of the Black Redstart species. 

 This bird, however, is a rather uncommon migrant, and 

 that only to a part of our area. For this reason it is 

 quite unnecessary to prefix the word ' Common ' to the 

 name of the species now being described. 



In Germany, where both kinds are common, the Black 

 Redstart is called the ' House Redstart ' and oiu" bird the 

 ' Garden Redstart."" This indicates a difference in their 

 nesting habits. Our bird sometimes nests on the end of 

 a house, but more often chooses a hole in a tree or wall. 

 The nest itself is loosely made of grass, moss, roots, and 

 the like, with a lining of hair and feathers. The six eggs 

 are pale blue, sometimes with reddish specks, but more 

 often plain. 



The Redstart is a summer visitor to our islands, re- 

 maining from mid-April till September. Dming that 



