THE SLACK REDSTART. 35 



where manure heaps are to be met with, it gets on old 

 posts and rails. It is remarkably nimble and easy in all 

 its movements, being almost continually in action; it 

 stands very erect, and has a peculiar jerky movement of 

 the tail, which is most noticeable immediately it alights. 

 The song, which is not particularly varied, according to 

 Eech stein, " consists of three parts : the middle is little 

 better than a croak, though the upper and lower possess 

 some high, clear notes ; " the song, such as it is, is con- 

 tinued the whole day through. The notes uttered resemble 

 the syllables " fid, fid, tack, tack." The Black Redstart is 

 called in some places the " Wall Nigh tin gale, " but as 

 regards vocal ability there is between the two birds little 

 or no comparison. It feeds principally on caterpillars, 

 worms, flies, and other insects. It frequently catches its 

 food in the air like a Fly-catcher, and returns to its post 

 again after the manner of that bird, at which time the 

 jerky motion of its tail is particularly noticeable. 



The nest, which is large and loose outside, but ex- 

 tremely round and neat inside, is built of hay, dried grass, 

 or moss, with a mixture of hair, wool, and usually a few 

 feathers for a lining, and is usually placed in holes in 

 walls, ruins, lofty old buildings, and sometimes in the 

 face of chalky banks or cliffs. About six eggs are laid, of 

 a pure white ; the shell is unusually clear, and very easily 

 broken. The bird evinces a strong liking for certain 

 localities, and will return year after year to the same place. 

 The flight is easy and graceful, varied by constant undula- 

 tions. 



The Black Redstart is common in Germany, France, 

 Greece, Spain, Italy, and, indeed, all the southern parts 

 of Europe, and proportionately rare in the higher latitudes. 



