THE EEDSTAET. 



Ph&nicura ruticilla. 

 Sylvia phcenicunis. 



LTHOUGH one of the hand- 

 somest of English song birds, 

 the Redstart is but little known 

 by name, except to ornitholo- 

 gists and this, too, in spite of 

 the fact that it is not uncom- 

 mon, especially in certain locali- 

 ties, where, however, when 

 noticed, it is generally denomi- 

 nated by the name of " Fire- 

 tail/-' This sobriquet is derived 

 from the peculiar manner in 

 which it shakes its tail, which 

 is totally different from the 

 steady up-and-down manner 

 peculiar to the Wagtails and 

 various " Chats/' When dis- 

 turbed, the Redstart does not 

 fly far, unless danger be immi- 

 nent, but contents itself with a 

 short flight of from twenty 

 to thirty yards, settling upon 

 an outer branch; and there it 

 calmly sits, and shakes its tail 

 whilst reconnoitring. Many 



