AMERICAN REDSTART. 
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79 . MUSCICAPA MJTICILLA , LINNiEUS AND WILSON. 
AMERICAN REDSTART. 
WILSON, PLATE VI. FIG. VI. — ADULT MALE. — EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM 
Though this bird has been classed by several of our 
most respectable ornithologists among the warblers, yet 
in no species 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 zig-zag 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. 
* Edwards, f Sloanc. 
♦ VOL. II. 
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