THE REDSTART. 201 



marked all over with rust-coloured spots on a 

 light ground. The robin is very generally dif- 

 fused over England, Ireland, and Wales, and 

 is also an inhabitant of the northern counties of 

 Scotland. Though a resident with us through the 

 year, it is migratory in some of the colder countries 

 of tlie continent. There are ornithologists also 

 who think that the female and young birds leave 

 us in the winter, as none but male robins haunt 

 our houses and gardens at that season. 



In some countries, where the legends so favour- 

 able to the robin are unknown, these birds are 

 caught by dozens for the table. This is the case 

 in Greece, and Mr. Waterton saw them exposed 

 for sale in the markets of Italy. 



The pretty merry Redstart* {Phoenicura ruti- 

 rilla) , though by no means so common a bird as the 

 redbreast, yet also haunts the dwellings of man, and 

 comes to our orcliards and gardens, or frequents 



• The Keilstart is five inches and a quarter in length. Uj>per 

 parts lead-colour; wing-quills brown with pale edges; tail-feathers 

 with their coverts rust-brown ; forehead white ; face, sides of the 

 Tieck, and throat black ; under parts pale chestnut. The female 

 has the colours less decided ; and wants the white on the fore- 

 head, and the black of the face and throat. Beak black ; feet 

 brown. 



