BRITISH BIRDS. 



161 



THE REDSTART. 



RED-TAIL. 



(Sylvia Phcenicurus, Lath. Bcc-fin de murailles, 

 Temm.) 



MEASURES rather more than five inches in 

 length. The bill and eyes are black; forehead 

 white ; cheeks, throat, fore part and sides of 

 the neck black, which colour extends over each 

 eye ; the crown of the head, hinder part of the 

 neck, and the back, are of a deep blue grey; in 

 some, probably old birds, this grey is almost 

 black; the breast, rump, and sides are of a fine 

 glowing red, inclining to orange, which extends 

 to all the feathers of the tail, excepting the two 

 middle ones, which are brown ; the belly is 

 white; feet and claws black. The female differs 

 considerably from the male; her colours are not 

 so vivid; the top of the head and back are ash- 

 grey; chin white. 



VOL i. x 



