194 cassell's book of birds. 



ground, climbing among the brandies of bushes, or flying about in short courses over a considerable 

 tract of country, always returning to pass the night upon their usual resting-place. Unlike other 

 singing birds, when excited, they bow the head repeatedly, and either flourish and spread their tails or 

 agitate them with a tremulous kind of motion. The voices of this family, though possessing many 

 sweet notes, are generally marred by an intermixture of harsh tones, and a constant repetition of the 

 same cadence. Many species have great facility for imitation, and constantly introduce the notes 

 and strophes of other birds into their own natural song. All such as inhabit the northern portions of 

 the globe migrate to warmer latitudes at the approach of winter, whilst those that live in southern 

 regions remain throughout the entire year in their native lands. The reason of this difference in 

 their habits is at once explained, if we reflect that the insects upon which they almost exclusively 

 subsist are only found in northern countries during the summer, but are readily obtained in southern 

 climes throughout the entire year. Both sexes assist in the labours attendant on building and 

 incubation. The nest, which is carefully hidden from view, is usually situated in clefts or fissures of 

 rocks and stones, or occasionally in hollow trees and similar situations, and though very rudely 

 constructed externally, is provided with a well-lined interior, for the reception of the little family. 

 The eggs, from four to six in number, are generally of a pale blue colour. 



The REDSTARTS {Ruticilla) are distinguishable by their slender body, awl-shaped beak, which 

 is furnished with a slight hook at the tip of the upper mandible ; slender, delicate feet ; high tarsi ; 

 moderately long wings and tail, the latter almost straight at its extremity, and lax plumage, which 

 varies considerably according to the age and sex of the bird. The members of this group inhabit the 

 eastern hemisphere (Asia especially being tolerably rich in species), and resemble each other no less in 

 their habits and general disposition than in their general coloration and appearance. 



THE BLACK-CAPPED REDSTART. 



The Black-capped Redstart (Ruticilla atra or Ruiicilla titys) is black upon the head, the back 

 and lower part of the breast being grey. The belly is whitish, the wings spotted with white ; the 

 feathers on the wings, and those that form the tail, with the exception of two in the centre, are 

 yellowish red. Uniform deep grey predominates in the coloration of the female and one year old 

 male, the plumage of the latter being marked with undulating black lines. The length of this species 

 is six, and its breadth ten inches. The wing measures three inches and one-third, and the tail two 

 inches and a half. 



The Black-capped Redstart inhabits Europe, and is numerous in such parts of the continent as 

 are rocky or mountainous. In Switzerland it is not uncommon to see these birds not only perching 

 at a very considerable altitude, but disporting themselves over the glaciers and beds of snow. In 

 marshy districts or low-lying valleys they are met with far less frequently, and are much more 

 numerous in the south of Europe than in the northern portions. Though by no means social, this 

 species exhibits but little fear of man, and will take up its abode on the house-tops of a crowded city, 

 apparently quite undisturbed by the noise and bustle of the streets. In disposition it is lively and 

 restless, and from dawn to long after sunset appears to be in a state of constant excitement and 

 activity. Like the Fly-catcher, it seizes its insect prey whilst upon the wing, and performs a great 

 variety of beautiful evolutions, as it alternately soars and sinks through the air. Upon the ground 

 it moves with swiftness and ease, bowing its head repeatedly, and whisking its tail whenever 

 anything happens to attract its particular attention, or when under the influence of emotion. The 

 voice of the Black-capped Redstart, though by no means beautiful, possesses great flexibility, and is 

 capable of imitating the songs of a great variety of other birds. 



