THE REDSTART. 95 



stones of a fallen wall, or in a nook behind a tree growing 

 against a house. This nest is loosely constructed of roots 

 and grasses, with a few feathers and hairs. The eggs, 

 which much resemble those of the Hedge Sparrow, though 

 lighter, are apple-green in colour, and vary in number from 

 five to seven. 



The young birds, as soon as the wing and tail feathers 

 attain any size, do not continue in the nest throughout the 

 day, but may be seen perched upon the branches of a 

 neighbouring bush or tree, whilst the parents are busily 

 feeding them. 



The food of the Redstart is almost entirely insecti- 

 vorous, and consists chiefly of ants and their eggs, flies, 

 moths, spiders, caterpillars, worms, and beetles. As with 

 Flycatchers, they pursue flies and moths upon the wing 

 as well as when feeding upon the ground. The young 

 are fed upon a similar diet. 



As before mentioned, these birds are migratory, and 

 begin to arrive in this country about the beginning of 

 April ; and they are more generally to be observed, especially 

 in the hedgerows, at this time, than when, later on, they 

 are absorbed in the duties of incubation. They retire to 

 the Continent in September, though isolated cases have 

 happened when a bird has been observed later. 



The song of the Redstart is very pretty, although com- 

 posed of but few notes indeed, somewhat similar to that 

 of the Whitethroat ; unlike that bird, however, its manner 

 of delivery is very different, as the song is generally uttered 

 whilst sitting upon a tree. It is continued, with inter- 

 missions, from morning until evening. Its call-notes are 

 varied. Morris likens one to " chippoo/' whilst McGilliv- 

 ray describes another as " oichit." 



