WHEATEAR 



FALLOW-CHAT WHITE-TAIL STONE-CHACKER CHACK- 

 BIRD CLOD-HOPPER. 



PLATE CXIV. FIGURE I. 

 Saxiola oenanthc, LINNAEUS. 



THIS regular visitant breeds on the open downs 

 throughout England. 



Its nest, which is commenced the middle of May, is 

 sometimes well hid in the innermost recess of some crevice 

 among rocks, in an old wall, stone quarry, gravel-pit, or chalk- 

 pit, and frequently in a deserted rabbit-burrow, or the hollow 

 under some large clod, tuft, or stone. Mr. Hewitson has 

 known one in the bank of a river, in a hole deserted by a 

 Sand Martin. It is rudely constructed of loose fine dry 

 stalks of grass, and lined with rabbit's fur, hair, or feathers. 



The eggs, usually from four to six in number, some- 

 times, though very rarely, seven, are of an elegant rather 

 elongated form, and of a uniform delicate pale blue colour, 

 deepest at the larger end usually, spotless, but sometimes 

 dotted with purple. 



The young are abroad from the middle of May to June. 

 A second brood is usually produced in the season. 



74 



