AMERICAN REDSTART. 
103 
are the characteristics of the genus Muscicapa more decisively 
marked ; and, in fact, it is one of the most expert flycatchers 
of its tribe. It is almost perpetually in motion ; and will 
pursue a retreating party of flies from the tops of the tallest 
trees, in an almost perpendicular, but zigzag direction, to the 
ground, while the clicking of its bill is distinctly heard ; and 
I doubt not but it often secures ten or twelve of these in a 
descent of three or four seconds. It then alights on an adjoining 
branch, traverses it lengthwise for a few moments, flirting its 
expanded tail from side to side, and suddenly shoots off, in a 
direction quite unexpected, after fresh game, which it can 
discover at a great distance. Its notes, or twitter, though 
animated and sprightly, are not deserving the name of song ; 
sometimes they are weese , weese , weese , repeated every quarter 
of a minute, as it skips among the branches ; at other times 
this twitter varies to several other chants, which I can instantly 
distinguish in the woods, but cannot find words to imitate. 
The interior of the forest, the borders of swamps and meadows, 
deep glens covered with wood, and wherever flying insects 
abound, there this little bird is sure to be seen. It makes its 
appearance in Pennsylvania, from the south, late in April; 
and leaves us again about the beginning of September. It is 
very generally found over the whole United States ; and has 
been taken at sea, in the fall, on its way to St Domingo,* and 
other of the West India islands, where it winters, along with 
many more of our summer visitants. It is also found in 
Jamaica, where it remains all winter, f 
The name Redstart, evidently derived from the German 
rothsterts , (red tail,) has been given this bird from its supposed 
resemblance to the Redstart of Europe, (Motacilla pficenicur us ;) 
but besides being decisively of a different genus, it is very 
different both in size and in the tints and disposition of the 
colours of its plumage. Buffon goes even so far as to question 
whether the differences between the two be more than what 
might be naturally expected from change of climate. This 
f Sloane. 
* Edwards. 
