The Redstart 
343 
but, toward the second autumn, appear mottled with pure black and 
Vermillion on their sides. Notwithstanding their want of full plumage 
they breed and sing the first year like the old males.” 
Mr. E. H. Forbush has written in his book, “Useful Birds and Their 
Protection” : 
“The insect-food of the Redstart is perhaps more varied than that 
of any other common Warbler. Apparently there are few forest insects 
of small size that do not, in some of their forms, fall a prey to this 
bird. Caterpillars that escape some of the slower birds by spinning 
down from the branches and hanging by their silken threads are snapped 
up in midair by the Redstart. It takes its prey from trunk, limbs, twigs 
leaves, and also from the air, so that there is no Chase of 
escape for the tree-insects which it pursues unless Insects 
they reach the upper air, where the Redstart seldom 
goes, except in migration. It has been named the fly-catcher of the inner 
tree-tops, but it is a fly-catcher of the bush-tops as well. 
“While there are few small pests of deciduous trees that it does not 
eat in some form, it is not confined to these trees, but forages more or 
less among coniferous trees. Also it is seen at times in orchards, and 
gleans among shade-trees in localities where the woods are cut away. 
It is impossible to weigh the pros and cons of this bird’s food, for no 
thorough examination of it has ever been made. It is an efficient cater- 
pillar-hunter, and one of the most destructive enemies of the smaller 
hairy caterpillars. It catches bugs, moths, gnats, two-winged flies, small 
grasshoppers, and beetles. It probably secures a larger proportion of 
parasitic hymenoptera and diptera than most other Warblers, occasionally 
destroying a few wasps ; otherwise its habits seem to be beneficial.” 
The summer home of the Redstart extends as far northward as 
Labrador and southern Alaska ; in fact, it goes almost to the limit of 
tree-growth throughout Canada. The southern boundary of its breeding 
range may be roughly traced by a line extending from the North Caro- 
lina Mountains to Utah, and thence northwesterly to Washington. 
As this species is highly insectivorous it must depart from the land 
of frost upon the approach of winter. Therefore, Redstarts migrate 
southward through the Southern States. Many in the East follow down 
the peninsula of Florida and then fly across to Cuba, Haiti, and other 
islands of the West Indies, where they pass the winter. The larger 
number, however, reach the sea at various points along the western 
coast of Florida, and in Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas, where 
they pause only long enough to supply themselves 
well with food, and then at the close of day start out Migrations 
boldly across the Gulf of Mexico. Their journey to 
Yucatan or to western Cuba is made in a single night, although in 
some cases the distance is six or seven hundred miles. 
Many of these Warblers pass their winter in the Gulf-shore region 
of southern Mexico and Central America, but many others push on by 
the land-route to northern South America, and remain there, living luxu- 
riantly on the abundant insect-life of the tropics until the spell of the 
