THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 
numerous. Like many other migrants, the Redstart 
seems to be much attached to certain spots, returning 
each year tonestin them. It is a somewhat shy and rest- 
less bird, resenting too close a scrutiny, and often hiding 
away in the tree-tops, from which the short, sweet, but 
somewhat monotonous song of the male may be heard, 
especially during May. ‘There is something very Chat- 
like in the actions of the Redstart. Like those birds it is 
fond of sitting on a wall or large stone, until approached, 
when it flits off to another resting-place to await events, 
all the time it is perched flicking and occasionally spread- 
ing out its tail. Its flight is jerky and uneven, and the 
bright chestnut tail is expanded, rendering the bird easy 
of identification. Its food largely consists of insects and 
larve, many of the former being secured whilst on the 
wing; and in late summer many of the smaller fruits 
and the soft corn are eaten. ‘The Redstart breeds in 
May, making a slovenly nest of dry grass, moss, and dead 
leaves, lined with wool, hair, and an abundance of 
feathers, which it places in a hole of a wall, tree, or rock. 
The eggs, usually six in number, are pale blue. Both 
sexes incubate, and after the young are hatched the 
parents become much more secretive, and when the nest 
is approached utter a very plaintive note. ‘The young 
are fed and tended for some time after they leave the 
nest. 
The male Redstart is one of the gayest-coloured of 
our indigenous birds. ‘The upper parts are mostly slate- 
grey, except the forehead, which is white; the wings are 
brown, the throat and ear-coverts black, the under parts 
and tail chestnut. The female is very different, being 
chiefly sandy brown in colour; the tail, however, is 
chestnut, but not so brilliant as in the male. Bull, 
tarsi, and toes black; irides dark brown. Length 54 
inches. ‘The nestlings are similar in colour to the female, 
but spotted. 
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