THE REDSTART. 101 



birds when singing. Its proper song I have never myseli 

 succeeded in distinguishing. It is said to be short l)ut 

 pleasing, and to he emitted both while the bird is at rest 

 and on the wing, principally in the morning, and only 

 during tw^o months of the year. Its food consists of small 

 worms and insects, which last it is very expert at catching 

 on the wing ; and in summer, it regales itself on the soft 

 fruits. Its nest is composed of fibrous roots and moss, and 

 is lined with hair, wool, and feathers. It lays about six 

 eggs, which closely resemble those of the Hedge-sparrow, 

 only that they are smaller. In autumn, the Eedstarts 

 retire southwards. On the African shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean they are very abundant, and are caught by the 

 Arabs in traps of the simplest construction. On the 

 continent of Europe too, especially in France, in spite of 

 their diminutive size, they are highly prized for food. In 

 Lorraine, the number of Eedstarts (both kinds), Eedbreasts 

 and Fly-catchers taken in traps is inconceivable. These 

 birds being of about the same size, and equally excellent 

 in delicacy of flesh, are sold together in all the market 

 towns under the name of jyetites betes (or, as we should say, 

 " small deer"), and are sent to the great cities. Blackbirds 

 and Thrushes are dignified with the title of grosses betes 

 {" cattle of a larger breed "). Thousands of dozens are thus 

 annually despatched ; but this number is as nothing com- 

 pared with that consumed on the spot. For a period of 

 about six weeks in every year, one may see every day 

 at certain hours whole families in the small towns, gravely 

 occupied on their door-steps picking the birds captured the 

 day before. At this season the air is filled with savoury 

 odours, and the passenger cannot take a step without 

 trampling on the red feathers of the Eobin and Eedstart, 

 contrasting with the sable plumage of the Blackbird. 

 These are all caught in traps set in the woods and forests ; 

 in every place, in short, where birds resort either for slielter 

 or food. 



