66 
MUSCICAPA RUTICILLA. 
The name of redstart, evidently derived from the 
German rothsterts, (red tail,) has been given this bird 
from its supposed resemblance to the redstart of Europe 
(motacilla phoenicurus ) ; 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 
naturally be expected from change of climate. This 
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 pro- 
duced, 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. 
Is it 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 w r hole 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, or on the drooping branches of the elm, within 
a few feet of the ground, fastening its nest to two 
twigs ; outwardly it is formed of flax, well wound 
together, and moistened with its saliva, interspersed 
* A species of gryllus, well known for its lively chatter during 
the evenings and nights of September and October. 
