314 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



haunt. The nest itself is very similar to that of the 

 Blackbird, and is usually placed among heather or in 

 a low bush, on a ledge or in a crevice of rock. The 

 eggs, usually four in number, are also somewhat like 

 those of a Blackbird, but are much more boldly and 

 handsomely marked. The Ring-Ousel is sometimes double- 

 brooded. 



Worms, insects, berries, &c., form its food ; and 

 although it will turn frait-stealer on occasion, its oppor- 

 tunities are too few to make its depredations at all 

 serious. 



THE WHEATEAR 



(Saxicola oenanthe). 

 Plate 116. 



With the Wheatear we come to the Chats, small 

 birds which inhabit open waste groimd, especially that 

 covered with whin or broom. Of these the Wheatear 

 is the most easily recognised. The name means ' white- 

 rump,"* and indicates a noticeable and characteristic 

 feature. The ordinary note is the typical Chat sound, 

 resembling the noise made by knocking two quartz 

 pebbles sharply together. The song of the male is 

 pleasing if not elaborate, and he is also a good mimic. 

 Grubs and adult insects form the food. 



The Wheatear is only a summer visitor to the 

 British Isles, but it is early in its coming and tardy 

 in its departure. The first arrivals appear before the 

 middle of March in the south, about three weeks later 

 in the north. Throughout the summer it is common 

 in suitable localities over the whole of our area, even 

 on barren islets and bleak mountain-tops. Emigration 



