RED-START, (Motacilla phoeniceus), in ornithology, was omitted to be described under the article MOTACILLA, of which it is a species. This bird appears among us only in the spring and summer, and is observed to come over nearly at the same time with the nightingale. It makes its nest in hollow trees, and holes in walls and other buildings; which it forms with moss on the outside, and lines with hair and feathers. It lays four or five eggs, very like those of the hedge-sparrow, but rather paler, and more taper at the less end. This bird is so remarkably shy, that it will forsake its nest if the eggs are only touched. It has a very fine soft note; but, being a full bird, is with difficulty kept alive in confinement. It is remarkable in shaking its tail; it moves it horizontally, as a dog does when fawning.—The bill and legs of the male are black; the forehead white; the crown of the head, hind part of the neck, and the back, are of a deep blue-grey; the cheeks and throat black; the breast, rump, and sides are red; the two middle feathers of the tail brown, the others red; the wings brown. In the female, the top of the head and back are of a deep ashy-colour; the rump and tail of a duller red than those of the male; the chin white; the lower side of the neck cinereous; the breast of a paler red.