PRELIMINARY CLASSIFIED NOTES 337 



haunting gorse-covered commons in sheltered situations near the coast. In those 

 localities where the winters are severe, it is only partially resident or a summer 

 migrant, but it is found in small numbers in the Orkneys, although it does not 

 breed in the Shetlands. On the Hebrides it is not uncommon, and has been noted 

 on St. Kilda, while in Ireland it is very general. [F. c. R. J.] 



3. Migration. Resident as a species, but a proportion of the individuals 

 perform true migratory movements within our area apart from the mere local 

 changes in the altitude or nature of haunts. A general decrease in winter in the 

 northern districts and a corresponding increase in the southern parts is very marked 

 in Great Britain, less so in Ireland. A slight autumn and spring migration has 

 been observed on the Yorkshire coast. This may be explained by local move- 

 ments of our resident birds, or possibly by the occurrence of the continental- 

 stonechat (P. tor quota rubicola). Further evidence is needed. There is little or 

 no evidence of autumnal emigration to countries further south. (See further 

 Nelson, B. of Yorks., 1907, pp. 31-32; and Ussher and Warren, B. of Ireland, 1900, 

 p. 10.) [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Carefully concealed, generally at the foot of some furze 

 bush or among heather, in a clump of cotton grass or in thick blackthorn scrub. 

 It is placed either on the ground or close to it, and is built of moss, bents and stalks, 

 with sometimes a few thistle leaves or small twigs, lined with finer bents and horse- 

 hair, as well as occasionally feathers, bits of wool, etc. (PI. xvi.) Whether the 

 male assists the female in building appears not to be recorded. Eggs generally 

 5 or 6, rarely 7, in number, pale bluish green, generally with a zone of fine reddish 

 brown spots. (PI. C.) Average size of 100 eggs, '74 x -57 in. (18'8xl4'4 mm.). 

 The first eggs are laid towards the end of March, but most eggs are laid at the 

 beginning of April, and in some inland spots not till late in that month. Incuba- 

 tion, which lasts 14 days, is, principally at any rate, performed by the hen, the cock 

 keeping a vigilant look-out close at hand. A second brood is usually reared. 

 [F. c. R. J.] 



5. Food. Chiefly insects and their larvae, spiders, also ova of worms 

 (Newstead), small lizards, and, according to H. Saunders (Manual, p. 30), worms 

 and a few seeds. The young are fed by both parents on insects and their larvae, 

 spiders, and occasionally small lizards. [E. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. From about the end of March till the middle or end of 

 June. [E. L. T.] 



2x 



