42 British Birds, with their Nests and Eggs. 



flower pot is chosen: it is usually not far from the ground. The nest itself is 

 externally- carelessly constructed of dry grass, rootlets, moss and sometimes a 

 little wool, the interior being carefully lined with hair and feathers: the number 

 of eggs varies from five to eight, though rarely exceeding six ; in colour they 

 much resemble those of the Hedge Accentor, but are slightly paler and more 

 glossy. 



Although the Redstart usuall}- builds in holes and under cover, instances 

 have been recorded of its forming its nest in an exposed situation ; thus in the 

 "Zoologist" for 1888, pp. 352-3, the Rev. H. A. Macpherson says: — 



" In June last, j^>Ir. Bell of Liddell Bank, Dumfriesshire, an enthusiastic field 

 naturalist, was kind enough to ask ni}' friend ]\Ir. Baih^ and myself to spend a 

 couple of days in birdsnesting with him on the Liddell. I was detained at home, 

 but Air. Baily went, and on his return reported the find of a Redstart's nest 

 built into an old nest of a Song- Thrush. There was no doubt about the owmer- 

 ship of the nest, for the hen bird was seen sitting on the eggs, two of which 

 were taken." 



"The Thrush's nest measures about four inches across, and that of the Red- 

 start two inches and one fifth inside measurement : the former ^^as placed in a 

 thorn bush, and was therefore open to the sk}', though well concealed b\- 

 branches above. I have seen a good many Redstarts' nests, but I can only recall 

 one instance in m}- own experience in which a nest of R. phoeuiLiirus has been 

 open to the sk}-. The nest in question was placed in a thick bush, and was 

 surrounded by thickets." 



The song of the Redstart is uttered either on the ^\'ing, or when perching ; 

 it is both insignificant and monotonous, somewhat resembling that of the \\"ren, 

 though much more feeble ; its call-note is iduct-tit-tit and its note of alarm a 

 melancholy iv licet . when courting, like some other species, it records its song; 

 that is to saj', it sings it in a whisper, omitting the louder notes. 



As an aviarv bird, I have found the Redstart especially pleasing; it is quite 

 hardy, provided that plenty of insects can be supplied dailv, it rapidly becomes 

 very tame and confiding, and is a most ornamental addition to one's feathered 

 famil3^ 



In September, 1893, Air. Staines brought me a healthy example, which I 

 turned out with the Stonechat and \Vhinchat into one of ni}^ unheated aviaries 

 disregarding utterh' the reputed extreme delicac}- of this species. That winter 

 the thermometer on several occasions registered ten or twelve degrees of 

 frost, nevertheless the Redstart was not in the least disturbed b}^ the cold 

 but seemed quite at home and happj'. Every morning I put a " Demon 



