SYLVIAD.E. 193 



with a worm. All these examples were in full 

 plumage and good condition. 



STONECHAT or Furzechat, Saxicola rubicola. 

 Very common on open heaths and gorse-covered 

 commons. Several remain with us during the 

 winter. 



WHINCHAT, Saxicola rubetra. Provincial, Bar- 

 ley-ear. Arrives during the early part of April if 

 the season be favourable. Haunts and habits 

 similar to those of the last species. 



WHEATEAR, Saxicola cenanthe. Numbers arrive 

 in March, but the greater portion of these proceed 

 farther north ; comparatively few remaining here 

 during the breeding-season. Immense flocks ap- 

 pear on the Downs during the early part of 

 August, at the period of the autumnal migration, 

 and quantities are taken by the shepherds in 

 snares of a very simple description, formed by 

 slight excavations in the turf, and horse-hair 

 nooses. The instinct of this bird prompts it, on 

 the slightest alarm, to run for concealment to the 

 nearest hole. The observant shepherd, availing 

 himself of this habit, constructed his infallible 

 trap ; for a full and accurate account of which, 

 and of the capture of these birds on the Sussex 

 Downs between Eastbourne and Beachy Head, 

 the reader is referred to Mr. Yarrell's c History of 

 British Birds/ vol. i. p. 256. 



E 



