192 INSESSORES. PHCENICURA. Redstart. 



TAGU, is very rare in some of the western counties. It ar- 

 rives early in April, and departs, on its autumnal migration, 

 towards the latter part of September. During its residence 

 with us, will generally be found in the vicinity of old walls, 

 in the crevices of which, as well as in the holes of decayed 

 trees, it prepares its nest. This is formed of moss, with a 

 lining of hair and feathers, and contains from five to eight 

 Nest, &c. eggs, of a fine greenish-blue, lighter in shade than those of 

 the Hedge Jccentor. It is an active and restless bird, and 

 when perched, shakes its tail with a rapid and singularly 

 tremulous motion. — From its song, (which though short in 

 stave, is of sweet and pleasant notes), together with its light 

 elegant shape, and varied plumage, it may be considered 

 one of the most interesting of our summer visitants. For 

 some years past, the Redstart has become of comparatively 

 rare occurrence in Northumberland, but without any appa- 

 rent cause for this change in the line of its migration ; vmless 

 it may be attributed to greater attention having been latter- 

 ly bestowed upon the management of woods, and a conse- 

 quent deficiency of old and decaying trees, for the purpose 

 of nidification, and stone- walls having, during the same pe- 

 riod, so much given way to the vise of hedges for enclosure. 

 Like most of the members of this genus, its food consists of 

 winged and other insects, with berries and the smaller fruits. 

 This species is common throughout Europe, and migrates 

 pretty far to the northward. In Holland it is very abun- 

 dant. 



Plate 46. Fig. 3. The male bird. Natural size. 

 General Base of the bill, space between the bill and eyes, cheeks, 

 tioii.'^'^^ throat, and upper part of the under side of the neck, 



black. Forehead white. Head, hind part of the neck 

 and back deep bluish-grey. Breast, rump, and flank 

 reddish-orange ; tail the same, except the two middle 

 feathers, which are clove-brown. Middle of the lower 

 part of the belly, and the vent, white; under tail-coverts 



