96 



FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



This bird may be kept in a cage or aviary, where its 

 handsome appearance will immediately attract attention. 

 Redstarts are, however, very delicate, and require artificial 

 heat in winter, and will seldom thrive unless meat be given 

 and a plentiful supply of meal-worms. They have been 

 reported to have learnt to whistle a tune, Mr. Sweet 

 mentioning one so gifted. They will, even in a state of 

 nature, imitate the songs of other birds, such as the Robin, 

 Lesser Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Garden Warbler, and even 

 the chirping of the Sparrow ; and were they more hardy 

 and susceptible of aviary domestication, there is no doubt 

 that their powers of song could be considerably developed, 

 as in the case of the Canary. 



