CHAPTER XXXVII. 



THE Redstart. 



Sylvia, or Motacilla 2')hoeniGurus, Lin. ; Rossignol de 

 muraUle, Buf. 



Description and Character. — Tliis elegant and somewhat 

 Oriental-looking bird is called by some people the Shaker, in 

 consequence of its peculiar movements of the body ; and in 

 some localities it is designated the Fire Tail, owing to the 

 colour of its caudal appendage. The Eedstart is not by any 

 means common in Great Britain, and, consequently, is seldom 

 met with. It is a great acquisition to an aviary of mixed 

 birds, and much admired on account of the beauty and 

 diversity of its plumage, and valued for its docile and social 

 qualities. 



It is a very apt pupil, and readily learns the song, 

 or parts of the song, of such birds as the Blackcap, 

 Nightingale, Woodlark, OhafiSnch, Canary, and Linnet, and 

 imitates them frequently with considerable accuracy, though 

 its voice is wanting in power and compass to execute the 

 more subtle and dijBScult passages in the songs of the three first- 

 named. The natural song of this bird is not by any means to 

 be despised. Like the Canary, the Eedstart will sing at all 

 hours in confinement. It is a peculiar bird, and almost 

 incessantly in motion, jerking its tail from side to side, bowing 

 its head in a pleasant and graceful way, and moving its body to- 

 and-fro — creating considerable amusement to those unacquainted 

 with its antics. In a cage it becomes exceedingly tame, and 

 shows trust in, and even attachment to, those who attend to its 



