The Redstart 343 



but, toward the second autumn, appear mottled with pure black and 

 vermillion on their sides. Notwithstanding their want of full plumage 

 they breed and sing the first year like the old males." 



Mr. E. H. Forbush has written in his book, "Useful Birds and Their 

 Protection" : 



"The insect-food of the Redstart is perhaps more varied than that 

 of any other common Warbler. Apparently there are few forest insects 

 of small size that do not, in some of their forms, fall a prey to this 

 bird. Caterpillars that escape some of the slower birds by spinning 

 down from the branches and hanging by their silken threads are snapped 

 up in midair by the Redstart. It takes its prey from trunk, limbs, twigs 

 leaves, and also from the air, so that there is no 

 escape for the tree-insects which it pursues unless Insects 



they reach the upper air, where the Redstart seldom 

 goes, except in migration. It has been named the fly-catcher of the inner 

 tree-tops, but it is a fly-catcher of the bush-tops as well. 



"\Yhile there are few small pests of deciduous trees that it does not 

 eat in some form, it is not confined to these trees, but forages more or 

 less among coniferous trees. Also it is seen at times in orchards, and 

 gleans among shade-trees in localities where the woods are cut away. 

 It is impossible to weigh the pros and cons of this bird's food, for no 

 thorough examination of it has ever been made. It is an efficient cater- 

 pillar-hunter, and one of the most destructive enemies of the smaller 

 hairy caterpillars. It catches bugs, moths, gnats, two-winged flies, small 

 grasshoppers, and beetles. It probably secures a larger proportion of 

 parasitic hymenoptera and diptera than most other Warblers, occasionally 

 destroying a few wasps ; otherwise its habits seem to be beneficial." 



The summer home of the Redstart extends as far northward as 

 Labrador and southern Alaska; in fact, it goes almost to the limit of 

 tree-growth throughout Canada. The southern boundary of its breeding 

 range may be roughly traced by a line extending from the North Caro- 

 lina Mountains to Utah, and thence northwesterly to Washington. 



As this species is highly insectivorous it must depart from the land 

 of frost upon the approach of winter. Therefore, Redstarts migrate 

 southward through the Southern States. Many in the East follow down 

 the peninsula of Florida and then fly across to Cuba, Haiti, and other 

 islands of the West Indies, where they pass the winter. The larger 

 number, however, reach the sea at various points along the western 

 coast of Florida, and in Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas, where 

 they pause only long enough to supply themselves 

 well with food, and then at the close of day start out Migrations 

 boldly across the Gulf of Mexico. Their journey to 

 Yucatan or to western Cuba is made in a single night, although in 

 some cases the distance is six or seven hundred miles. 



Many of these Warblers pass their winter in the Gulf-shore region 

 of southern Mexico and Central America, but many others push on by 

 the land-route to northern South America, and remain there, living luxu- 

 riantly on the abundant insect-life of the tropics until the spell of the 



