100 BIRDS OP NORFOLK. 



and Cornwall, at a time wlien its allied species, our 

 common redstart, lias left us with other soft billed 

 migrants to winter in a warmer climate. Mr. Gould, 

 however ("Birds of Great Britain"), considers that this 

 apparent eccentricity is owing to a partial westward 

 migration, some even crossing the Irish Channel, whilst 

 the main body do really pass southward in autumn, and 

 cross the Mediterranean. 



SAXICOLA RUBICOLA (Limiaeus). 



STONECHAT. 



A common spring visitant, and breeds with us, 

 frequenting the wild open districts abounding in furze. 

 The grassy summits of the cHfis on our seacoast, when 

 gay with the yellow gorse, are also very favourite re- 

 sorts, where this restless species may be seen incessantly 

 flitting from one bush to another, or uttering its little 

 jerking notes from the topmost twigs. The male, with 

 the rich black head of the breeding plumage, forms a 

 striking object in our rural walks, and both sexes, from 

 their sprightly actions and incessant cries, enliven such 

 scenes as might otherwise weary from their very mono- 

 tony. If we chance to approach the vicinity of their 

 nests, the excitement of these little creatures becomes 

 intense, each parent endeavouring to lead us on, by 

 perching at short intervals directly in our path, the 

 male stiQ continuing this anxious duty long after the hen 

 bird has slipped quietly back again, to assure herself of 

 the safety of her household treasures. Mr. Blyth has 

 aptly rendered their notes, at such times, by the words 

 hweet, jur, jur j hweet, jur, which to the ear, at least of 

 the field naturaUst, wiU convey a sound, associated 

 always with the ylvit, yhit, yhit, of the flickering titlark 



