S3 



1. (ENANTHE. 



MOTACILLA. ) WHITE-TAIL, OR RUMP, 

 (ENANTHE. LIN.) WHEAT-EAR. 



A. dorso cano, f route superciliis uropygio basiqm 

 caudtz albis, per ocufos fascia nigra. Shaw. 



The bill is black ; the irides hazel ; a black and 

 white line passes across the face } the head and back 

 are bluish grey ; beneath is pale buff-colour ; the mouth, 

 quills, and upper half of the tail are black, the other 

 half and rump are white. 



The wheat-ear appears about the middle of March, 

 and leaves in August. 



About 2000 dozen annually are taken on the Downs in 

 Sussex, and are much esteemed as food. 



The numbers found about Eastbourne in Sussex, is sup- 

 posed by Mr. Pennant to be occasioned by a species of fly ? 

 their favourite food, that is found on the wild thyme which 

 abounds there, 



This bird breeds in old rabbit holes, and forms 

 its nest of dried grass and rabbit down, and lines it 

 with feathers. 



The female lays 5 or 6 eggs, of a pale blue colour. 



