THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



numerous. Like many other migrants, the Redstart 

 seems to be much attached to certain spots, returning 

 each year to nest in them. It is a somewhat shy and rest- 

 less bird, resenting too close a scrutiny, and often hiding 

 away in the tree-tops, from which the short, sweet, but 

 somewhat monotonous song of the male may be heard, 

 especially during May. There is something very Chat- 

 like in the actions of the Redstart. Like those birds it is 

 fond of sitting on a wall or large stone, until approached, 

 when it flits off to another resting-place to await events, 

 all the time it is perched flicking and occasionally spread- 

 ing out its tail. Its flight is jerky and uneven, and the 

 bright chestnut tail is expanded, rendering the bird easy 

 of identification. Its food largely consists of insects and 

 larvae, many of the former being secured whilst on the 

 wing ; and in late summer many of the smaller fruits 

 and the soft corn are eaten. The Redstart breeds in 

 May, making a slovenly nest of dry grass, moss, and dead 

 leaves, lined with wool, hair, and an abundance of 

 feathers, which it places in a hole of a wall, tree, or rock. 

 The eggs, usually six in number, are pale blue. Both 

 sexes incubate, and after the young are hatched the 

 parents become much more secretive, and when the nest 

 is approached utter a very plaintive note. The young 

 are fed and tended for some time after they leave the 

 nest. 



The male Redstart is one of the gayest-coloured of 

 our indigenous birds. The upper parts are mostly slate- 

 grey, except the forehead, which is white ; the wings are 

 brown, the throat and ear-coverts black, the under parts 

 and tail chestnut. The female is very different, being 

 chiefly sandy brown in colour ; the tail, however, is 

 chestnut, but not so brilliant as in the male. Bill, 

 tarsi, and toes black ; irides dark brown. Length 5^ 

 inches. The nestlings are similar in colour to the female, 

 but spotted. 



