8 OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



white. In this species, therefore, it is evident 

 that the seasonal change of plumage is effected 

 by a change of colour in the same feather, and 

 not by a moult. 



The nest of the Wheatear is generally well 

 concealed in the crevice of a cliff or sandbank, 

 or in an old rabbit burrow. Where these con- 

 veniences are not accessible, the nest may be 

 found at the foot of a bush, screened from view 

 by grass or foliage. The eggs, five or six in 

 number, are of a delicate pale blue, occasionally 

 spotted at the larger end with pale rust colour. 



The geographical range of the Wheatear is 

 very extensive for so small and short- winged a 

 bird. It is found in the Faroe Isles, Iceland, 

 and Greenland ; in Lapland, Norway, Sweden, 

 and Denmark ; throughout Europe to the 

 Mediterranean ; in Egypt, Arabia, Asia Minor, 

 and Armenia. 



