THE WHINCHAT. 93 



arts are now of but little avail, and their young, still 

 unable to fly, are helpless and unconcealed. When the 

 young have gained the use of their wings, we see them 

 in little parties attended by their parents, who feed and 

 tend them in this manner for many weeks, as but one 

 brood is reared in the year. 



The food of the Whinchat is for the most part insects, 

 yet the small worms and grubs on the pastures are also 

 eaten, and though we find bristles round the base of the 

 bill, still they aid it not in securing its insect prey. 



The Whinchat moults in July and August, and after 

 that season is over they appear in a garb nothing near 

 so rich and beautiful as their wedding dress of the 

 previous spring. Unlike the Stonechat, which is seen 

 here the year throughout, the Whinchat leaves us for 

 the winter the third week in September, but fewlndeed 

 being seen after the autumnal equinox. 



