THE WHINCIIAT. 243 



number of these whinchats has been seen ; there fix the stakes in cross 

 lines, two or three paces apart ; then go to the end of the garden and drive 

 the birds gently towards the snares ; they jump from one cabbage stalk to 

 another till they approach the stakes ; then you stop, and in a short time 

 the birds are caught one after anotlier. When they are caught, the pri- 

 soners must be taken out and the snares arranged again ; then go to the 

 other end and again drive the birds forward as before, and thus continue 

 till the sport is over. 



Attractive Qualities. — However gay this bird may appear when free, 

 it becomes sad and melancholy in the house. If permitted to range, it 

 only moves to procure food, and then returns to its accustomed place, and 

 keeps its head sunk on its breast. Its pleasing song very much resembles 

 the goldfinch's ; but what makes ^t more admired, is, that it is not only 

 heard during the day, but also in the evening, and sometimes during 

 the night. 



MR. sweet's account OF THE WHINCHAT. 



This pretty species is also known by the name of Furze 

 Chat, and is very often confounded with the stonechat, which 

 is a very different species. It generally visits this country in 

 the begmning of April, and leaves iis towards the end of Sep- 

 tember. All the fore part of the season it visits commons, 

 where it may be seen on the furze bushes, flying backwards 

 and forw^ards after the insects that pass. It builds its nest on 

 the ground in a thicket, which it covers up with dry grass, so 

 that it is impossible to find it without watching the old ones, 

 either in carrying materials to build, or food to their young. 

 I have generally found them with six or seven young ones, 

 which, with care, are easily bred up from the nest, keeping 

 them warm, dry, and clean, and feeding them with the same 

 sorts of food as recommended for the old ones ; they should not 

 be taken till quite fledged, and should at first be placed in a 

 little basket with covers, as they will then readily open their 

 mouths for food. I consider those reared from the nest much 

 the best, or such as are caught very yoiuig, as they may then be 

 taught any tune, or will learn the song of any bird they hear, 

 their own song not being a very good one. 



This bird may be considered as one of the tenderest of the 

 tribe, being very susceptible of cold. It is one of my greatest 

 favourites. One that I bred from the nest by hand, learnt the 

 song of the white-throat, the redstart, willow- wren, nightingale, 

 and also that of a missel-thrush, which it frequently heard sing- 

 ing in a garden near by ; of this latter song it was so fond, that 

 b2 



