196 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



ear, though the wheatear is considerably larger 

 than the whinchat. The measurements of the 

 three birds are as follows : 



Stonechat (resident), 5^ inches. 

 Whinchat (spring to autumn), 5 inches. 

 Wheatear (resident), 6J> inches. 



It is rather at a distance that the whinchat and 

 the wheatear present a similar appearance, the 

 rump of the latter bird and the under part of the 

 tail of the whinchat being white, favouring the 

 possibility of mistake. Seen more closely, the 

 difference in size and plumage is more apparent, 

 though in both birds there is a white stripe over 

 the eye. 



The wheatear is a resident, but the whinchat 

 remains with us only from spring to autumn. As 

 regards their plumage, the upper parts of the 

 wheatear are of a pale slate-colour, the under 

 parts white, and the ears or, rather, I should 

 say, the ear-coverts are black. The plumage of 

 the whinchat is of a dull brown above, the throat 

 and sides of the neck white, the neck and breast 

 yellowish-red, and a large white spot on each 

 wing ; the base of the tail is also white. The 

 head, chin, and throat of the stonechat are black, 

 the lower part of the sides of the neck and rump 

 white, and the wings are also marked with two 

 short white bars ; the breast is of a bright sorrel 

 colour ; near the tail, the under parts are of a 

 yellowish-white ; the back, wings, and tail are 



