TURBINE. 



19 



THE WHEATEAR. 



Saxicola (ENanthe (Linnreus). 



The Wheatear, one of the first of our spring-visitors, usually 

 arrives in the second week in March ; any birds seen earlier being 

 probably those which, as exceptions, have wintered in mild portions 

 of our islands. From early spring onwards the Wheatear is to be 

 seen in suitable localities, jerking its white tail as it flits along, 

 uttering its sharp chack, chack, on open downs, warrens, and poor 

 land generally, while it ascends our mountains almost to their 

 summits. Numbers still frequent the Soi:th Downs, especially on 

 migration in August ; but by the beginning of October nearly all 

 have left us. 



In summer this species is very widely distributed, ranging to the 

 Faeroes, Iceland, Jan Maycn, and Greenland ; while it has been 



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