12 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Migrates from the north of our island in winter, although 

 in most parts of the South a proportion remain through 

 the year. On South Downs nest-building commences 

 early in April, but in the north a little later. Nest : 

 among furze or on a bank among coarse herbage, some- 

 times among long grass in meadows ; not very substantial ; 

 composed of moss and dry grass, lined with hair, feathers, 

 vegetable down or wool ; lining distinguishes it from 

 Whinchat's. Eggs : 5 or 6 ; bluish-green (more green than 

 Whinchat's and much paler) with distinct specks of pale 

 reddish-brown ; size 72 by '60. A second brood is pro- 

 duced about end of June, at which time the simple but 

 pleasing song of male ceases. Most usual note in 

 the breeding season is a sharp whit-chack, uttered from a 

 furze-spray or on the wing. Food : grubs, worms, beetles, 

 and winged insects, latter being commonly taken on the 

 wing after the manner of a Fly-catcher. 



GENUS V. RUTICILLA, C. L. Brehm (1828). 

 Bill moderate, slender, gape with developed bristles ; 

 wings moderate ; 3rd, 4th, or 5th quill longest. Tail 

 moderately long. Tarsus slender, moderately long. 



16. Rutieilla phcenieurus (Linn.). REDSTART. 



Hab. Europe (except extreme south) and Asia, as far 

 east as the Yenesei. In winter southward to Africa and 

 Persia. * 



Male : upper plumage slate-grey ; forehead and stripe 

 above eye pure white ; wing feathers brown with pale 

 margins ; upper tail-coverts and outer tail-feathers chestnut 

 red; two middle tail-feathers brown; throat and sides of head 

 deep black ; breast and under wing-coverts chestnut ; flanks 

 brown ; bill black ; tarsi dark brown. Length 5*30 ; wing 

 with 3rd primary longest. Female : chiefly greyish-brown ; 



