138 



KEARTONS' NATURE PICTURES 



down, and hair. I have known a pair 

 of birds of this species return to a 

 favourite breeding haunt year after 

 year with unbroken succession. 



The eggs number from four to six, 

 although seven and even eight may 

 occasionally be found. They are of a 

 pale bluish green colour, somewhat 

 lighter than those of the hedge 

 sparrow. They are laid during May and 

 June, as a rule, although clutches may 

 sometimes be found as late as the begin- 

 ning of July. 



Young Firetails bear a considerable 

 resemblance to fledgeling redbreasts, 

 but may be distinguished by the 

 reddish tinge on the rump and tail 

 quills. 



The male Redstart helps the female to 



times discovered it in holes in the feed the chicks upon caterpillars, small 

 ground amongst stones overgrown by beetles, moths, and flies, and is loud in 

 vegetation. The structure is composed, his protestations if an owl or prowling 

 of dead grass, rootlets, moss, and cat should happen to appear near the 

 leaves, with an inner lining of feathers, nesting hole. 



FEMALE KEDSTAKT. 



