344 



PAStiERES. 



SYLVIID.E. 



HYLVllDJ':. 



Saxicola rubetra (LinnaeiTs*). 



THE WHINCHAT. 



Saxicola rubetra. 



The Whinchat, or Furzecliat, is, in its habits, aud iu some 

 of the localities it frequents, very similar to the bird last 

 described. Its obvious partiality to places overgrown with 

 furze or whins, has induced its most common names ; and, 

 like the Stonechat, it flits from bush to bush, generally perch- 

 ing on one of the uppermost twigs. Yet the Whinchat is 

 not nearly so much restricted to heaths or commons as the 

 Stonechat, but also affects enclosed fields and meadows, and 

 is often abundant in reclaimed fen-land. It further differs 

 from its congener in being almost exclusively a migrant, 

 and very few authentic instances of its being observed in 

 the British Islands in winter are recorded. 



The Whinchat makes its appearance in the southern and 

 south-eastern parts of this country about the middle of April, 



* Motarllla rubctnt, Liiiiiteus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. ]>. 332 (1776). 



