Periodical 
visitant. 
Nest, &c. 
Song. 
184 PASSERES. SYLVIA. REDSTART. 
/ Redstart.—Sylvia pheenicurus, Lath. 
PLATE 46. Fig. 3. 
Sylvia pheenicurus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. v. 2. p. 511. sp. 15. 
Motacilla phoenicurus, 1. p. 335. 34.—Gmel. Syst. 2. p. 987. sp. 34. 
Rutacilla, Raii Syn. p. 78. A. 5.—Will. p 159.—Briss. 3. p. 403. 15. 
Le Rossignol-de murailles, Buff: Ois. v. 5. p. 170. t. 6. f. 2.—Id. Pl. En 
351. f. 1. and 2. 
Bec-fin de murailles, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. v. 1. p. 220. 
Schwarzkeliger Sanger, Meyer, Tasschenb. Deut. v. 1. p. 244.—-Bechsé. 
Naturg. Deut. v. 3. p. 607.—Frisch, t. 19. f. 1. male, t. 20. f. 1. A. and 
fig. 2. A. female, fig. 2. B. young male. 
Geckraagde Roodstaart, Sep. Nedrel. Vég. v. 4. p. 361. 
Redstart, Br. Zool. 1. No. 146.—Arct. Zool. 2. p. 416. B.—Wil. (Ang.) 
p- 218.—Lath. Syn. 4. p. 421. 11.—Lewin’s Br. Birds, 3. t. 108.—Albin. 1. 
t. 50.—Pult. Cat. Dorset. p. 8.— Mont. Ornith. Dict.—Id. Supp.—Don. 
Br. Birds, 4. t. 82.—Bewick’s Br. Birds, v. 1. f. 208. 
Provincial, Redtail. 
The Redstart is found in most of the eastern, midland, and 
northern parts of the kingdom, but, according to Montacu, 
is very rare in some of the western counties. It arrives early 
in April, and departs, on its autumnal migration, towards the 
latter part of September. During its residence with us, it 
will generally be found in the vicinity of old walls, in the cre- 
vices of which, as well as in the holes of decayed trees, it pre- 
pares its nest. This is formed of moss, with a lining of hair 
and feathers, and contains from five to eight eggs, of a fine 
greenish-blue, lighter in shade than those of the Hedge Ac- 
centor. 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 va- 
ried plumage, it may be considered one of the most interest- 
ing of our summer visitants. For some years past, the red- 
start has become of comparatively rare occurrence in Nor- 
thumberland, but without any apparent cause for this change 
in the line of its migration; unless it may be attributed to 
greater attention having been latterly bestowed upon the 
management of woods, and a consequent deficiency of old and 
