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Small Song-birds: REDSTART, in the United States a small active migratory warbler of the penus Seto-phaga, especially 5. ruticila of the eastern part of the country, whose colors are a charming contrast of black and orange-red in the male, the female being more nearly brown and yellow. It has a sharp, exclamatory, but pleasing
spring song, and makes a pretty nest of bark-shreds, etc., in an orchard tree or garden bush. The European redstarts are small brownish birds, closely related to the redbreasts, but distinguished by a bright red tail. They construct nests chiefly among the ivy of ruined buildings, the eggs numbering five or six, and being of a greenish-blue color. The redstarts are active birds, feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects which they pursue on the wing. The Song is low, but sweet, and these birds are said to imitate very skilfully the notes of other feathered songsters.
REDTAIL, a common American hen-hawk (q.v.).
From this wild bird, still found in its native habitat, has come the domestic canary so common today. Pairs of wild canaries were first taken to Europe early in the sixteenth century. Their lovely Song and beautiful plumage soon made them great favorites everywhere. It was not long before bird lovers began to breed the wild birds selectively in order to improve the Song and the color, with the result that there are now many and varied domestic canaries with exquisite songs and exotic colors.
Today those birds prized chiefly for their beauty are: Scotch fancy, which is a slender, graceful bird with high arched shoulders; the Manchester canary, noted for its large size; and the Norwich, which is crested. All of these are show birds first bred in England.
Peacocks and swans are now prized for their ornamental features and not for the gastronomic qualities with which the Middle Ages endowed them. In most countries, small song-birds are protected by law, but in France they are not and the blackbird, lark [ 1S] and thrush are considered delicacies. |
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