The Redstart (Ruticilla phoenicurus).
Many birds pause awhile after reaching this country before engaging in nesting operations, but I am rather inclined to think that the Redstart is not one of the number. I knew of a nest in the hole of a tree one year that contained an egg so soon as the first day of May. Early on the morning of May 5th a heavy snowstorm raged for a couple of hours, and when, shortly afterwards, I inspected the nest, I found the hole, which faced due north, filled with snow, some of the eggs broken, the interior of the nest disarranged, and the locality forsaken by the birds themselves.
I have found many nests of this species in the course of my rambles, and noticed that, in addition to being a comparatively early builder, an especially favourite haunt is the pollard or "sally" trees—as they are termed in some parts of Herefordshire—that form so ornamental an appendage to the banks of rivers. I am not quite sure that pollard willows do not more correctly express the type of tree I have in my mind's eye; but willow, pollard, and "sally," all, I believe, indicate its colloquial appellation in different parts of the country. In the natural holes of such trees the Redstart loves to nidificate, though suitable cavities in stone walls are equally resorted to.
With regard to its eggs, I have found the clutches varying from five to eight, but am of opinion that six, equally with seven, is the more favoured number. They are smaller, and lighter in shade than Hedge-Sparrows', and the shell is far more brittle. Touching the colouring of the same, I find myself in distinct opposition to the experience and opinion of Mr. C. Dixon, as enunciated at page 138 of his 'Nests and Eggs of British Birds.' The author writes:—"It is said that the eggs of this species are 'occasionally speckled with reddish,' but surely this must be a mistake." I have not been able to trace the statement to which the author referred to above takes exception, but I can unhesitatingly corroborate its accuracy. I have on more than one occasion possessed myself of Redstarts' eggs with rufous brown specklings on them, though others in the clutch have been without any colouration, beyond, of course, that of the uniform pale greenish-blue ground shade.
Nevertheless, it is only a few summers ago that I found in a hole in an ash-tree near to Rolleston Hall, the residence
