CHATS AND WARBLERS. 89 



claws black. After the autumn moult most of the dark feathers are 

 edged with rufous brown, and the breast and belly become of a 

 lighter colour than in summer. 



The adult female is covered on the upper parts with feathers of a 

 blackish brown colour, edged with buff; the throat is blackish, and 

 the breast yellowish brown tinged with dull red; the tail feathers 

 brown, edged with buff; the white spaces on the wings and neck are 

 smaller than those of the male. The legs, toes, and claws are black. 



The bird we have been describing is sometimes called the Stone 

 Smith, Stone Chatter, and Blacky-top. Macgillivray names it the 

 Black-headed Bushchat, and applies the title of Stonechat to the 

 Wheatear. 



THE WHINCHAT, 



(Sylvia rubetra.) 



PLATE VI. FIGUKE II. 



THIS bird sometimes goes by the name of the Furze Chat and Whin 

 Bushchat; as its scientific name indicates, its habits and places of resort 

 are similar to those of the Stonechat, last described. During the 

 summer, it is to be met with in suitable localities in Suffolk, Norfolk, 

 Hampshire, Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire, 

 Durham, and Northumberland, but is rare in the more westerly parts 

 of the island. In Ireland it is plentiful, and in Scotland was seen 

 by Mr. Selby as far north as Sutherlandshire; it also visits Wales. 

 It has been observed in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, in the latter 

 country especially in those parts that are clear of wood; and is common 

 over the whole of the south of Europe to the shores of the Mediterra- 

 nean. In the temperate parts of Russia it is found as far as the 

 Uralian chain, but does not extend to Siberia. 



The Whinchats arrive in the southern parts of England about the 

 middle of April, and disperse themselves over the whole island by the 

 end of the month. They frequent open commons and moors, like the 

 Stonechats, selecting those which are covered with furze, sloes, brambles 

 and briars, and are occasionally to be met with on upland pastures, 



