WHITE-RUMPED STONECHAT. 295 



the same county. Both young and old birds moult previously 

 to their leaving the country, as I have ascertained from obser- 

 vation ; but probably the young of late broods take their de- 

 parture without changing their plumage. When the young 

 birds are pursued, they scatter, fly along the walls, dive into 

 holes, reappear in another place, and are very shy, although 

 always much ipore easily obtained than old individuals. Al- 

 though this bird is by no means fond of perching on bushes, I 

 have seen it alight on whins growing in stony places, and I 

 saw an individual in April 1837 settle on an ash tree close to 

 the wall of the lunatic asylum at Morningside, near Edinburgh. 

 Its habits in this respect are very different from those of tho 

 Bramble and AVhin Bushchats, which are essentially twig- 

 frequenters. 



At its arrival and previous to its departure, it is generally 

 in good condition, and its flesh being very delicate and sapid, 

 it is caught in the southern parts of England in great numbers, 

 and sold in the markets at a high price. In Scotland, how- 

 ever, I have not heard of its being used as an article of food, 

 although I am entitled from experience to commend the good 

 taste of those who consider it a delicacy. The eggs are still 

 more delicious ; but as a truly aristocratic food, especially for 

 nervous females, and hysterical dandies, I can more conscien- 

 tiously recommend those of the Golden -crested Kinglet and 

 Blue Tit. " The number of Wheatears," says Montagu, " that 

 breed in this country, must be very considerable, but so dis- 

 persed that few are seen at that season in the same situation. 

 In September they begin to retire, and seem to assemble from 

 all parts to the Sussex and Dorset downs contiguous to the 

 coast, preparatory to their departure. The quantity taken an- 

 nually about Eastbourn is prodigious ; Mr Pennant says 1840 

 dozen. These are caught in a singular manner, by placing 

 two turfs on edge ; at each end a small horse-hair noose is fixed 

 to a stick, which the bird, either in search of food or to evade 

 a storm of rain, attempts to get under, and is caught. Upon 

 inquiry of the shepherds, whose trade it is, we have been in- 

 formed fifty or sixty of these traps have had a bird in them of 

 a morning ; sometimes several mornings together, and then for 

 a day or two, scarce one is to be seen ; and yet they are never 



