BIRDS OF THE HEATH 305 



—the passing of a Ha\vk or even of a cloud — renders 

 it an easy prey to the shepherds. A small oblong is 

 cut in the turf, and the sod is placed, grass down- 

 \vards across it. Within this chamber horse-hair 

 nooses are set. I have myself seen a Wheatear 

 take refuge beneath a large stone projecting from a 

 wall, and permit itself to be taken by hand. 



The Stonechat has certain peculiarities which set 

 it apart from both its near relatives, the Whinchat 

 and the Wheatear. Although in other countries 

 which it frequents, it is usually known as a migrant, 

 it is resident in England throughout the year. 

 Again, though it breeds in every English county, 

 its distribution in each is extremely irregular, as, 

 for example, in Yorkshire, where a few favoured 

 spots only — generally gorse-strewn commons at 

 low elevations — are tenanted, whilst in others 

 which would appear to be equally suitable, the 

 bird is unknown. In Ireland, a country avoided 

 altogether by so many warblers, it is resident and 

 common. 



In plumage the head, throat and back are of a 

 blackish hue, merging into reddish-brown and 

 relieved by a band of white on the neck and a con- 

 spicuous streak of white on the wings. The breast 

 and under-surfaces are of a rich bay shading into 

 yellowish-white. 



The nest is made of coarse grass and a little moss, 

 lined with hair and feathers, and is usually found 

 in the tangled herbage amongst gorse-bushes or in 

 the lower part of the gorse itself. The position of 

 the nest may often be determined by the sight of 

 20 



