OP NEW ENGLAND. 131 



(c). The Redstarts are familiar to all the ornithologists of 

 New England, though much less common in many northern and 

 western localities than in other parts, where they are the most 

 common of the woodland- warblers. They are summer-residents 

 throughout the north-eastern United States, but they pass the 

 winter in a warmer climate. They reach Massachusetts be- 

 tween the fifth and tenth of May, and leave it in the early part 

 of September, but, except in spring, when I have seen three or 

 four together on their arrival, I have never observed them to 

 be at all gregarious. They frequent woods and groves of vari- 

 ous sorts, but generally avoid isolated trees and shrubbery. 

 Occasionally, however, they approach the ground, 35 though 

 they usually remain at some distance from it, often at a great 

 height. During their residence here, they never wander far, 

 and never take other than very short flights. They are, how- 

 ever, continually catching small flies, gnats, and mosquitoes in 

 the air. They also search for them among the branches, in the 

 manner of the vireos, and their handsome tail, outspread, then 

 shows to great advantage. They are more wonderfully active 

 and dexterous than most other warblers, renowned as they all 

 are for their industry and skill. 



The male Redstarts, inclusive of the young in various stages, 

 who, for a long time, much resemble the females, are more 

 abundant than those of the opposite sex, and consequently 

 they often have occasion in May to quarrel for the possession 

 of the females, though otherwise peaceful. Though easily 

 caused to desert their nests, they possess great conjugal and 

 parental affection, as do nearly all the more highly organized 

 birds. Inclination to desertion varies with individuals more 

 than with species, but is widely different among the several 

 families and orders. 



(d). The song of the Redstarts is simple and pleasing, but 

 constantly varied. Sometimes it is merely a rather shrill die- 

 icee-o or che-wee-o-wee-o, at other times it is che-wee-see-wee-see- 



85 1 have since observed that the female obtains much of the food for her young 

 from the ground. 



