BIRDS OF THE GARDENS 27 



Language. — Song, not extensive and infrequently 

 uttered, somewhat like the Swallow's ; call-note a soft 

 whistle, and another note much like the " chizzic " 

 utterance of the Pied Wagtail. 



Habits. — Closely resembling the other Wagtails, but, 

 unlike them, keeps away from human habitations. 

 It is most active and graceful, running about quite 

 unconcernedly around the hoofs of beasts when grazing, 

 leaping into the air at intervals to take an insect. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae, spiders, and worms. 



Nest. — April onwards. Two broods. 



Site. — On ground, in a natural depression or cart-rut, 

 &c., concealed by growing herbage. 



Materials. — Grass, bents, and moss, lined with finer 

 materials ; sometimes some wool hair, and a few feathers. 



Eggs. — Four to six. Greyish white, mottled with 

 pale ash and olive-brown ; usually a dark hair-like 

 streak at the large end. 



REDSTART (Ruticilla phcenicurus) 



April to September. Well distributed though not 

 common. Local in some parts. In Scotland and 

 Ireland rather rare. 



Haunts. — Ivy-mantled ruins, old broken walls, 

 orchards, gardens, groves, and wild, uncultivated land. 



Plumage. — Forehead white ; ear-coverts, chin, and 

 throat black ; upper parts slaty-grey. Wings brown. 

 Breast, rump, and tail bright chestnut-red (hence 

 Firetail). Belly huffish white. Bill black. Legs dark 

 brown. Length 5 J in. Female, duller colouring 

 throughout ; upper parts grey tinged with red. Throat 



