NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



THE STONECHAT. 



THIS very conspicuous 

 and familiar little bird 

 measures just over 

 five inches in length. 

 Its head, nape, 

 throat, back, wings, 

 and tail are black, 

 many of the feathers 

 being edged with 

 rusty brown. On the 

 sides of the neck, 

 wings, and at the 

 base of the tail are large patches of 

 white. Breast dark rust colour, under 

 parts much lighter. Its unlikeness to 

 any other British bird, and habit of 

 perching on the topmost sprays of gorse, 

 juniper, and bramble bushes, render it 

 perfectly easy to observe and identify. 

 The female differs somewhat, being dull 

 brown with buff edgings to the feathers 

 on her upper parts, and having the chin 

 buff, sides of the neck brownish-white, 

 and breast and under parts duller. 

 198 



