THE STONECHAT AND W HE ATE A R. 85 



Stonechats pair very early in the season ; indeed it is 

 not improbable but what they remain in pairs the year 

 throughout, as we see them in pairs at all times of the 

 year far more often than alone. Their nest found by 

 the way with the greatest difficulty, especially when 

 situated in the centre of a large patch of gorse ; dis- 

 covery, except by the merest accident, is then almost 

 impossible is snugly and cleverly concealed at the 

 foot of some furze or other bush. It is built of dried 

 grasses and moss, and lined with a quantity of horse- 

 hair and feathers. The eggs, four or five in number, are 

 pale blue, with a few purplish-red markings, chiefly on 

 the larger end, although some specimens are quite plain. 

 Deceptive motions form the little Stonechat's protective 

 power which she displays for the safety and concealment 

 of her treasured eggs or young ; and, once disturbed, she 

 will tire any except the most patient observer by her 

 deceiving motions flitting from bush to bush, occasion- 

 ally alighting in them, as though about to visit her nest, 

 which, however, is probably some fifty yards away. If 

 her nest be suddenly approached, silence, another pro- 

 tective design, will be manifested. The watchful mother, 

 still and silent as a statue, views your approach and 

 moves not ; but, once the danger gone, we find both her 

 and her seldom absent mate flitting from spray to spray, 

 giving forth their monotonous notes of wee-chic, chic- 

 chic. Stonechats are not gregarious, still we very often 

 find several pairs living close together. 



The Stonechat lives on insects and their larvae : you 

 also see them hunting amongst manure for small worms 

 and beetles, and they obtain part of their food by hover- 

 ing in the air like the Flycatcher. The song of the 

 male bird is a short and wandering performance, yet 

 fully in harmony with the surrounding landscape. 



