REDSTART 



59 



The black redstart (Ruticilla titys) is a winter visitor in small 

 numbers to the south-west of England, and has been known to 

 breed on two or three occasions in this country. It is common 

 throughout Central and Southern Europe, wintering in North Africa, 

 and in its nesting and othar habits and language resembles the red- 

 start. 



Between the redstarts (Kuticilla) and the redbreast (Erithacus), 

 next to be described, the bluethroats (Cyanecula) are placed, of 

 which two species have been recorded as casual visitors to this 

 country the white-spotted bluethroat (C. Wolfi), from Western 

 Europe ; and the red-spotted bluethroat (C. Suecica), a breeder in 

 the arctic regions. 



Redbreast. 

 Erithacus rubecula. 



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FIG. 25. REDBREAST. \ natural size. 



Upper parts olive-brown; forehead and breast red, the red 

 edged with grey ; belly white. Female : a trifle smaller than the 

 male, and less bright in colour. Length, five inches and three- 

 quarters. 



Of man's feathered favourites the species he has thought proper 

 to distinguish by a kindly protective sentiment the redbreast pro- 

 bably ranks first, both on account of the degree of the feeling and 



