$6 OUR IRISH SONG BIRDS. 



historic spot, to see, and hear, and judge for himself. 

 There we found Miss Massy awaiting us ; the old birds 

 were in the trees, the young birds were with them, save 

 one which Miss Massy had taken in the hope of rearing 

 it by hand ; and we had excellent opportunities of seeing 

 both cock and hen, and of being witnesses to the first 

 instance on record of the Redstart's breeding in Ireland. 



The credit of the discovery should, I think, be shared 

 by Mr. Anton, the head keeper at the Deer Park, who 

 first saw the bird, " with a tail like fire," as it fluttered 

 around the cage of a Siskin, which he placed on the wall 

 near his house; and by my kind friend Miss Massy, 

 whose knowledge enabled him to identify it as the 

 Redstart a bird previously unknown in the district. 



This bird has since been observed at Luggela, Glenda- 

 lough, and in the Co. Tyrone, and at Lough Conn in 

 Mayo. ( LJssher.) 



The Redstart is a migratory bird, arriving usually 

 early in April, and departing late in September. Like 

 other migratory birds, it returns year after year to the 

 same localities, to build its nest and rear its young. Its 

 habits in many respects resemble those of the Robin, 

 and its call-note, which has been written down as " wee- 

 tit-tit," or " oi-chit," reminds one of the shilling note of 

 that bird, and also of the " pse-chip-chip" of the spotted 

 fly-catcher. Mr. Witchell gives this note as " tewy- 

 chick-chick." To me its song, though short, seemed 

 very pleasing and melodious ; it may be heard some- 

 times at night, and also whilst the bird is on the wing. 



The Redstart is an insectivorous bird, and feeds on 

 flies, gnats, larvae, and small butterflies; fruit and berries 

 are also sometimes eaten. It has often been said that 



