' OF NEW ENGLAND. 131 
(c). The Redstart’ are familiar to all the ornithologists of 
New England, though much less common in many northern and 
western localities than in other parts, where they are the most 
common of the woodland-warblers. They are summer-residents . 
throughout the north-eastern United States, but they pass the 
winter in a warmer climate. They reach Massachusetts be- 
tween the fifth and tenth of May, and leave it in the early part 
of September, but, except in spring, when I have seen three or 
four together on their arrival, I have never observed them to 
be at all gregarious. They frequent woods and groves of vari- 
ous sorts, but generally avoid isolated trees and shrubbery. 
Occasionally, however, they approach the ground, though 
they usually remain at some distance from it, often at a great 
height. During their residence here, they never wander far, 
and never take other than very short flights. They are, how- 
ever, continually catching small flies, gnats, and mosquitoes in 
the air. They also search for them among the branches, in the 
manner of the vireos, and their handsome tail, outspread, then 
shows to great advantage. They are more wonderfully active 
and dexterous than most other warblers, renowned as they all 
are for their industry and skill. 
The male Redstarts, inclusive of the young in various stages, 
who, for a long time, much resemble the females, are more 
abundant than those of the opposite sex, and consequently 
they often have occasion in May to quarrel for the possession 
of the females, though otherwise peaceful. Though easily 
caused to desert their nests, they possess great conjugal and 
parental affection, as do nearly all the more highly organized 
birds. Inclination to desertion varies with individuals more 
than with species, but is widely different among the several 
families and orders. 
(d). The song of the Redstarts is simple and pleasing, but 
constantly varied. Sometimes it is merely a rather shrill che- 
wée-o or che-wée-o-wée-o, at other times it is che-wée-see-wée-see- 
35 J have since observed that the female obtains much of the food for her young 
from the ground. 
