568 BLACK-HOODED WHEATEAR. 



heaths, or newly ploughed lands, or in old de- 

 serted rabbit burrows ; if the latter, the nest is ge- 

 nerally placed very far within : it is composed of 

 dry grass and moss, mixed with wool, rabbit fur, 

 &c. and lined with feathers, hair, or wool, and is 

 very neatly put together : the eggs are five or six 

 in number, of an uniform pale blue colour, and 

 weigh about forty-three grains. 



The White-rump has a very pretty song, which 

 is occasionally uttered on wing, especially during 

 the breeding season, at which time it also dis- 

 plays its tail in a very extraordinary manner : its 

 food consists of insects; but in rainy seasons, when 

 there are but few to be procured, it will feed upon 

 worms. During the months of August and Sep- 

 tember the migration of these birds commences, 

 and they assemble in quantities on the Sussex and 

 Dorset downs, preparatory to their departure, 

 which is believed to take place in the night. 

 They are found in most parts of Europe, and 

 have been observed in the Isles of Orkney and 

 Zetland, and on the continent still farther north : 

 they likewise inhabit Asia. 



BLACK-HOODED WHEATEAR. 

 (Vitiflora pileata.) 



Vi. capite rectricibus intermediis laterabusque apice nigris, super- 

 ciliis,f route, mento, uropygio, abdomineque albis. 



Wheatear with the head, middle tail-feathers, and tips of the 

 lateral ones, black ; the eyebrows, forehead, chin, rump, and 

 abdomen, white. 



