104 
AMERICAN REDSTART. 
eternal reference of every animal of the New World to that 
of the Old, if adopted to the extent of this writer, with all the 
transmutations it is supposed to have produced, would leave 
us in doubt whether even the Ka-te-dids # of America were 
not originally Nightingales of the Old World, degenerated by 
the inferiority of the food and climate of this upstart continent. 
We have in America many different species of birds that 
approach so near in resemblance to one another, as not to be 
distinguished but by the eye of a naturalist, and on a close 
comparison ; these live in the same climate, feed on the same 
food, and are, I doubt not, the same now as they were five 
thousand years ago ; and, ten thousand years hence, if the 
species then exist, will be found marked with the same nice 
discriminations as at present. It is therefore surprising, that 
two different species, placed in different quarters of the world, 
should have certain near resemblances to one another, without 
being bastards, or degenerated descendants, the one of the 
other, when the whole chain of created beings seem united to 
each other by such amazing gradations, that bespeak, not 
random chance and accidental degeneracy, but the magnificent 
design of an incomprehensibly wise and omnipotent Creator. 
The American Redstart builds frequently in low bushes, in 
the fork of a small sapling, or on the drooping branches of the 
elm, within a few feet of the ground ; outwardly it is formed 
of flax, well wound together, and moistened with its saliva, 
interspersed here and there with pieces of lichen, and lined 
with a very soft downy substance. The female lays five 
white eggs, sprinkled with gray, and specks of blackish. The 
male is extremely anxious for its preservation ; and, on a 
person’s approaching the place, will flirt about within a few 
feet, seeming greatly distressed, f 
* A species of Gryllus, well known for its lively chatter during the evenings 
and nights of September and October. 
f Mr Audubon says, “ the nest is slight, composed of lichens and dried 
fibres of rank weeds, or grape vines, nicely lined with soft cotton materials.” — 
P. 203. — Ed. 
