THE BLACK REDSTART. 3 



where man nre hea ps are to .be me t with, it gets on old 

 posts and rails. It is remarkably nimble and easy in all 

 its movements, being almost continually in action; it 

 stands very erect, and has a peculiar jerky movement of 

 the tail, which is most noticeable immediately it alights. 

 The song, which is not particularly varied, according to 

 Bechstein, '^ consists of three parts : the middle is little 

 better than a cfoak, though the upper and lower possess 

 some high, clear notes ; '' the song, such as it is, is con- 

 tinued the whole day through. The notes uttered resemble 

 the syllables " fid, fid, tack, tack.'' The Black Redstart is 

 eallecl in some places the '^ W all Nightenga le. '^ but as 

 regards vocal ability there is between the two birds little 

 or no comj^arison. It feeds principally on caterpillars, 

 worms, flies, and other insects. It frequently catches its 

 food in the ai_r_ like a Fly-catcher, and returns to its post 

 again after the manner of that bird, at which time the 

 jerky motion of its tail is particularly noticeable. 



The nest, which is large and loose outside, but ex- 

 tremely round and neat inside, is built of hay, dried grass, 

 or moss, with a mixture of Jiair, wool, and usually a few 

 feathers for a liiiing, and is usually placed in lioles in 

 walls, ruins, loft y old bui ldings, and sometimes in the 

 face of chajjvy banks or c liffs. About si x egffs a re laid, of 

 a pur^^jvvhite ; the shell is unusually clear, and very easily 

 broken. The bird evinces a strong liking for certain 

 localities, and will return year after year to the same place. 

 The flight is easy and graceful, varied by constant undula- 

 tions. 



The Black Redstart is common in Germany, France, 

 Greece, Spain, Italy, and, indeed, all the southern parts 

 of Europe, and proportionately rare in the higher latitudes. 



