PASSE RES. ( 44 ) SYLVIID^. 



THE STONECHAT. 



STONECHATTER, STONESMICH, BLACKY-TOP. 



Saxicola ruhicola. 

 W^t »)tanecl)acfeer*^ 



The Stainyell and the Schacker statu, 

 Behind the lave wer left alane, 

 With waiting on thair marrows. 



Burrel's Passage of the Pilgrimer. 



This interesting little bird, which is generally a permanent 

 resident in the county, is found on many of our rough, 

 stony moors, particularly those which are interspersed with 

 whins, junipers, and other similar bushes. During very 

 severe weather in winter it seeks more sheltered spots near 

 the sea-coast, such as Oldcambus Dean, and some may- 

 even migrate southwards, returning again in spring. In 

 its usual wild haunts it attracts attention by continually 

 flitting from the highest point of some bush, or tall weed, 

 such as a thistle, to that of another at a little distance, 

 occasionally alighting on the ground to pick up some insect 

 which it has noticed, and from time to time uttering its 

 peculiar call-note, which resembles the words, " Tsak, tsak, 

 tsak." Sometimes, however, it may be seen perched on 

 prominent mole-hills and large stones, and the highest 

 parts of the cope of dry-stone dykes are also favourite 

 resting-places. 



1 The Wheatear is often erroneously called the " Stauechar.ker " in Berwick- 



sliire. 



