175 



in the day-time. The number of Wheatears which used to be taken 

 years ago upon the South Downs, in autumn, is a matter of notoriety. 



Like all the chats, the ^Vheatear keeps much to the ground, seldom 

 perching on trees, although often to be seen on gate-posts and rails, 

 where a broader footing is afforded it. Its song is rather sprightly, "and 

 is occasionally uttered on the wing. The contrast between the spring 

 and autumn plumage of this bird is very remarkable. If an old bird be 

 examined in September, it will be found that the white superciliary streak 

 has almost disappeared, the colour of the upper parts has become reddish 

 brown, the throat and breast pale ferruginous, lighter on the flanks and 

 belly, while the primaries and tail at its extremity are much browner. 

 On raising the feathers of the back, it will be found that the base of each 

 feather is grey, and in spring this colour supersedes the brown of winter, 

 which is worn off, and the upper parts assume a beautiful bluish grey, 

 while the under parts become pure white. In this species, therefore, it 

 is evident that the seasonal change of plumage is effected by a change of 

 colour in the same feathers, and not by a moult. The food of the 

 Wheatear during its residence here is composed of insects, small snails, 

 slugs and worms. Insects are sometimes taken on the wing, the bird 

 springing after them from an eminence, or even from the level plain, as 

 well as following them on the ground ; after darting upon its prey it often 

 returns, as is the habit of other fly-catching species, to the spot on some 

 raised clod, or grass-grown ant-hill, which served as its look-out and 

 watch-tower. 



The geographical range of the Wheatear is very extensive for so 

 small and short-winged a bird. It is found in the Faroe Isles, Iceland, 

 and Greenland ; in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark ; through- 

 out Europe to the Mediterranean ; in Egypt, Arabia, Asia Minor, etc. 



I append a list of dates of arrival of this bird in the district, as 

 noted by Mr. Greenip : — 



1857 April loth 1866 April 6th 



1858 March 30th 1867 March 29th 



1859 March 23rd 1868 April ist 

 i860 April 6th 1869 April 12th 

 1861 April 5th 1870 April 8th 



1864 March 26th 187 1 March 21st 



1865 April loth 



