A small, handsome European singing bird (
Phoenicurus phoenicurus, formerly
Ruticilla phoenicurus), allied to the nightingale; -- called also
redtail,
brantail,
fireflirt,
firetail. The black redstart is
Phoenicurus ochruros (formerly
Phoenicurus tithys), and is now rare and protected by law in England. The name is also applied to several other species of
Ruticilla and allied genera, native of India. [
1913 Webster]