THE WHEATEAR. 37 



Shortly after its arrival in spring, while on its way to 

 the uplands, it may be occasionally seen on ploughed fields 

 near the sea-coast, and in the inland and lower parts of the 

 county, flitting from clod to clod, displaying the conspicuous 

 white patch above the tail which has gained for it the name 

 of " White-rump." Like the Stonechat and the Whinchat, 

 it is also fond of flying along palings and stone-dykes and 

 alighting on their most prominent points, where its lively 

 movements and handsome appearance seldom fail to attract 

 the notice of the most casual observer. During summer it 

 frequents the wild pastures and open moors, where it breeds, 

 making its nest, which is composed of fine grasses mixed 

 with wool, moss, feathers, and hair, in a hole in some dry- 

 stone or turf dyke, or in a rabbit burrow, and laying five or 

 six pale blue eggs. I have frequently seen the Wheatear 

 in summer on the moorland road from Wedderlie to Dye 

 Cottage, and also on the moors along the course of the Dye, 

 and on the road from Cattleshiel to Westruther. Mr. Hardy 

 mentions that it breeds along the skirts of the moors 

 by the sea- coast near Oldcambus ; ^ and the Eev. George 

 Cook, Longformacus, informs me that its nest, with eggs, 

 has been found near Whitchester by Mr. Smith, Young 

 Wheatears were observed at Oldcambus, and above Head- 

 chesters, and on the post road above Upper Moorhouse, 

 in July 1882.2 



Shortly before its departure in autumn it is sometimes 

 seen in the lower parts of the county, flitting about 



Spring 1883.— Isle of May, 5th and 13tli April ; Fames, 2nd to 24th April. 

 Autumn 1883.— Isle of May, 2nd and 3rd Sep. ; Fames, 2d and 3rd Sep. 

 Spring 1882.— Isle of May, 26th March to 3rd April ; Fames, 19th March. 

 Autumn 1884.— Isle of May, 15th Sep. to 22nd Oct. ; Fames, 6th Aug. to Oct. 

 Spring 1885.— Isle of May, 20th April; Fames, 5th April. Autumn 1885.- 

 Fames, 7th and 9th Aug. Spring 1886.— Fames, 22nd Feb.— Fron> Reports on 

 the Migration of Birds, 1879-85. 



^ Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 392. 



» Ihid. vol. X. p. 560. 



