CHATS AND WARBLERS. 87 



THE STONECHAT, 



(Sylvia rulicola.} 



PLATE VI. FIGUEE I. 



THE scientific name of this bird is derived from the Latin words 

 sylvia a wood, rubus a bramble, and colo to inhabit. It is a common 

 species over the greater part of the European Continent, and has been 

 observed in India, Asia Minor, Japan, and Africa. In this country 

 it may be said to be a constant resident, the young birds of the previous 

 breeding season only leaving us in the autumn to return again at the 

 end of the following March, while the adults remain during the winter. 

 It has been observed in most parts of the island, but is most common 

 in Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorsetshire, Northumberland, and Yorkshire; in 

 the north, west, and south of Ireland, it is constantly to be met with, 

 and has been noticed in Scotland as far north as Sutherlandshire. 

 Macgillivray includes it in his "Birds of the Hebrides/' and it is stated 

 to occasionally visit the Orkneys. 



The Stonechat frequents open uncultivated spots, such as the sandy 

 downs along the coast, dry commons, heaths, moors, and warrens; it 

 prefers those parts which most abound with furze, brambles, sloes, 

 junipers, and low brushwood; and where the ground is broken and 

 rugged, so that there are many crannies and crevices in which it can 

 retreat. During very severe weather it removes to more sheltered 

 situations, and may sometimes be seen in the neighbourhood of farm- 

 houses and cottages; near Bathgate, in Linlithgowshire, it has been 

 seen in swampy districts in the depth of winter. It is particularly 

 fond of perching on heaps of stones, turf fences, or other elevations, 

 from whence it makes short and rapid flights, after the passing 

 butterflies, or other insects which form its chief food. Of a very timid 

 and wary disposition, this bird will dart off and conceal itself on the 

 least alarm, but it often betrays its presence to the wanderer over 

 the lonely common, by its loud and sharp cry of chat, chat, chat, 

 which somewhat resembles the sound produced by striking two stones 



