Warblers. 79 



The REDSTART (Ruticilla pkoznicura) derives its 

 name from its red tail, steort being Saxon for tail. It 

 has a peculiar vibration of the tail, by which the young 

 birds may be distinguished from young Redbreasts, 

 which they closely resemble. In many places it is 

 known as Fire-tail and Bran-tail (evidently a corrup- 

 tion of brand). It is a very beautiful bird, with a grey 

 head, neck, and back, black throat and chest, brown 

 wings, and a chestnut-red and brown tail. The lower 

 part of the body is of a very pale chestnut. A stripe 

 of white passes across the forehead and eyes. The 

 female is paler in colour, and her plumage is altogether 

 less brilliant : she is often mistaken for the Nightin- 

 gale. They visit England early in April, and leave us 

 in October. They live chiefly on insects, flies, beetles, 

 and grubs, and are fond of soft ripe fruit. In confine- 

 ment they may be fed like the Nightingale, and should 

 have plenty of ants' eggs and mealworms. The young 

 birds may be reared on bread soaked in milk, and 

 ants' eggs mixed with it ; but the birds which are a 

 year old are said to thrive best when captured. They 

 are subject to dysentery, for which they should have 

 a rusty nail put into the water ; and to fits, for which 

 they should be dipped in cold water, and have a pinch 

 of nitre twice a week after they recover. They seldom 

 live long in confinement ; many die of atrophy. 



The Redstart is a good songster, and will sing by 

 night as well as by day, if there is a light in the room 



