1/2 LIFE-HISTORIES OF BIRDS 



1856. Another nest which Dr. Brewer describes 

 and which was found by the same observing 

 naturalist, was more carefully and elaborately con- 

 structed, and possesed greater compactness. 



The eggs are five in number, and marked with 

 dots and blotches of brown and purple upon a 

 clear white background, forming a wreath about 

 the larger end. They measure .70 of an inch in 

 length and .55 in breadth. 



It returns early in September, stops a few days 

 from its journey when it frequent sequestered 

 localities, and continues a silent feeder until its de- 

 parture during the last week of September, 



Setophaga ruticilla. Swains. 







The Redstart is far from being a rare species. 

 At the time of writing, June 4th, it is uncommonly 

 abundant. It appears often as early as the 2Oth 

 of April, but never later than the 5th of May. Ij; 

 is never gregarious, but remains a solitary hunter 

 until mating is accomplished. At first its foraging 

 is restricted to high open woodlands, but as the 

 season advances, it becomes more familiar, ap- 

 proaches our principal thoroughfares, visits our 

 orchards and lawns and gleans amid the blossoms 

 and leaves. It now becomes exceedingly tame\ 

 and suffers the nearest approach without fear or 

 alarm. 



Its movements and habits are those of a .Fly- 

 catcher. In quest of food it moves with remark- 



