The Redséart. nae 
| This bird is migratory: it visits us about the twen- 
tieth of April, and very soon after its arrival begins to 
build its nest, which is generally placed in some re- 
cess, such as a hole in a wall, or in a decayed tree, or 
among its roots, and is formed of moss, hay, and leaves, 
lined with hair, wool, and feathers. The number of 
eggs varies from four to six. They are of a lighter 
tint than the hedge sparrow’s. The young male Red- 
start does not receive the beautiful plumage of the 
parent bird till after autumn, and puts those striking 
colours on abroad. I have known this bird to build 
in one place in a garden wall where a brick has been 
taken out seven years in succession. At lasta friend of 
mine shot the male bird for the purpose of preserving 
it, and for many years after that season there was not 
another nest placed there. This is a lively little bird, 
and although small, is very conspicuous; the white 
spot on the forehead placed on a patch of black is 
almost sure to catch the eye, as well as the continual 
motion of its tail, which seems for ever being jerked up 
and down during daylight ; it does not matter whether 
the Redstart is on the eround in search of food, or 
