DARTFORD WAHBLER. 719 



Montagu weighed a pair, and found them two 

 drams and a quarter each ; at that time they ate 

 about one dram and a quarter each, or above half 

 their weight daily, which is almost incredible; 

 their growth is in proportion : during the day 

 they are very active, and are continually uttering 

 the note cha, twice or thrice repeated : the males 

 begin to sing upon the first appearance of the 

 red feathers on the breast : the song somewhat 

 resembles that of the Stone-chat. This bird ap- 

 pears to have two broods in the year: it has a 

 singular manner of flying in short jerks, owing to 

 its short wing and long tail, which latter is thrown 

 up when on the wing : this is a very shy bird, 

 concealing itself amongst the thickest furze on 

 the slightest alarm : its food consists of insects. 

 It is found throughout Devonshire and Cornwall, 

 and has been taken in several places in the neigh- 

 bourhood of London ; it also occurs in France, 

 where it is said to frequent cabbages, not only for 

 the sake of food, but for protection in the night, 

 but the latter circumstance is most likely erro- 

 neous. 



V. x. p. ii. - 46 



