V 



THE REDSTART, 



Phcenlcura rutkilla. 

 Si/lvia phumicuros. 



LTHOUGH one of the hand- 

 somest of* English song-birds, 

 the Redstart is but little known 

 by nimie^ except to ornitholo- 

 gists — and this, too, in spite of 

 the fact that it is not uncom- 

 mon, especially in certain locali- 

 ties, where, however, when 

 noticed, it is generally denomi- 

 nated by the najne of " Fire- 

 tail/^ This sobriquet is derived 

 from the peculiar manner in 

 which it shakes its tail, which 

 is totajly different from the 

 steady up-and-down manner 

 peculiar to the Wagtails and 

 various " Chats/^ When dis- 

 turbed, the Redstart does not 

 fly far, nnless danger be immi- 

 nent, but contents itself with a 

 short flight of from twenty 

 to thirty yards, settling upon 

 an outer branch; and there it 

 calmly sits, and shakes its tail 

 whilst reconnoitring. Many 



