6o COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



Note. Usually heard in woods, or at all events where 

 there are clumps of tall trees. Song begins with a few 

 notes like ' tick, tick, tick,' and ends with a ' shivering 

 1 ' trill ' (while the latter is uttered the head is thrown back 

 and the whole body shakes). This song once heard, is 

 easily recognized, and is far the easiest way to dis- 

 tinguish the Wood Warbler from the other ' Willow 

 Warblers.' 



Distinguishing Feature. The note as above. Is 

 brighter in hue than the Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff. 



Nest. On ground, of dry grass, domed, lined fine grass, 

 no feathers. 



Eggs. White, with red spots. 



Haunts. See ' Note.' 



WHEATEAR. (S.M. Thrushes.) 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Back blue grey, black streak through eye 

 to ear-coverts, rump white, tail black, white at base 

 excepting middle feathers, wings blackish-brown. 

 Cheeks, throat, and breast tawny-buff, rest of under parts 

 creamy white. Female duller in colour, being browner 

 all over, but with the same white markings on rump 

 and tail. 



Note. ' Tack, tack.' 



Distinguishing Feature. The white rump (Anglo 

 Saxon 'Whete Aer'), which shows very distinctly when 

 the bird flies, but disappears so suddenly when it 

 alights that the bird in its sober colouring becomes 

 almost invisible. 



Nest. On ground among heap of stones, or under 

 clod of earth. 



Eggs. Pale greenish-blue, with occasionally a few 

 spots of pale brown. 



Haunts. Moorlands and wilder parts of the country 

 as a rule in the breeding-season. Seen in many places 

 only while passing on migration. 



WHINCHAT. (S.M. Thrushes.) 



Size. Sparrow, small. 



Colour. Sandy-brown above with black streaks, 

 wings blackish with white spot, tail brown with base 

 white excepting central feathers. Black streak through 

 eye, cheeks, chin, and sides of neck white, breast rosy, 

 under parts sandy. The female is browner. 



