THE REDSTART. 77 



angel throughout Scandinavia and the whole of 

 Europe, except Portugal, to the Mediterranean, 

 which it crosses to visit North Africa, Egypt, 

 and Abyssinia for the winter season. 



The haunts which it affects in this country 

 are generally not far removed from human 

 habitation, and it is not unusual to find the nest, 

 containing five or six pale-blue eggs, upon a 

 peach or plum-tree against a wall ; upon a cross- 

 beam of a summer-house ; or in a hole of a wall 

 or tree, as opportunity may serve. The eggs 

 are very similar to those of the Hedge Sparrow, 

 but are invariably smaller and paler. It picks 

 up most of its food, such as small beetles, 

 spiders, and worms, on the ground ; and its 

 actions when thus engaged remind one more of 

 the Robin than of the Wheatear, as Macgil- 

 livray thought. At other times it will sit upon 

 an exposed branch, and dart forth into the air, 

 like a Flycatcher, to secure a passing insect. 

 Its song, though sprightly, is weak and seldom 

 prolonged. It is generally poured forth from 

 some bough or other " coign of vantage," but is 



