The Redstart 65 



eccentric, absurd, but inspired with a "fine 

 frenzy," which is a passionate love for his mate 

 and their nest, all his queer notes and equally- 

 queer stunts centre about his home. On moon- 

 light nights, Punchinello entertains himself and 

 Columbine with a series of inimitable perfor- 

 mances which have earned him the title of 

 yellow mockingbird. He can throw his voice 

 so that it seems to come from quite a different 

 direction, as you may sometime have heard a 

 human ventriloquist do. 



THE REDSTART 



When this exquisite little warbler flashes his 

 brilliant salmon flame and black feathers among 

 the trees, darting hither and thither, fluttering, 

 spinning about in the air after insects caught 

 chiefly on the wing, you will surely agree that 

 he is the most beautiful as well as the most 

 lively bird in the woods. The colour scheme 

 of his clothes suggests the Baltimore oriole's, 

 only the flaming feathers on the sides of his 

 body, wings, and tail are a pinker shade of flame, 

 and the black ones which cover his back, 

 throat, and upper breast, are more glossy, with 

 bluish reflections. Underneath he is white, 

 tinged with salmon. But you could not pos- 

 sibly mistake this lovely little sprite for the 

 oriole, he is so much smaller — about an inck 



