4 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



difficult to approach the nest without being seen at 

 a long distance, when the warning cry of the "fell 

 throstle" rings out to startle every bird in the 

 vicinity. 



Upon the breeding grounds, the food of the 

 Ring Ouzel appears to consist principally of slugs 

 and beetles. Consequently, fresh fruit is eagerly 

 sought after, when the birds descend to lower 

 grounds in early autumn ; nor are they content to 

 take toll of the scarlet rowan berries alone, but 

 venturing into gardens in small droves, composed of 

 both adults and young, they proceed to levy black- 

 mail on the cherries, raspberries, and gooseberries. 



Some notes on a charming pet bird of this 

 species will be found in the "Zoologist," 1883, 

 pp. 295, 296. 



Genus SAXICOLA. 



S. (Enanihe. Wheatear. 



The Wheatear is an early summer visitant, 

 nesting numerously among the sand hills of the 

 coast and about the stone walls of our fells. It is 

 rarely seen in the lower arable districts during the 

 breeding season, but regularly visits the salt marshes 

 of the Solway on spring and autumn migration, 

 being most widely distributed at the latter season. 



'r\-: 



Genus PRATINCOLA. 



P. Bubetra. Whinchat. 



The Whinchat is a common summer visitant, 

 nesting generally in meadow lands and on railway 



