STONECHATS AND WHINCHATS 97 



really means white-rump, and so called because of 

 the conspicuous white band over the base of the 

 tail. 



On the open moors, and often in close company 

 with the Wheatear, we often see the Stonechat. The 

 nest of this very handsome bird is difficult to dis- 

 cover, and unless its owner is seen to leave, any 

 one might search for hours without being successful 

 in coming on the locality. The cock will allure an 

 intruder away by perching close to him on a bush, 

 and calling loudly tui, tack-tack ; and when atten- 

 tion is diverted by being drawn to these excited 

 call-notes, he will dart on to another prominent 

 perch a little farther off ; and if followed, he will 

 soon lead on still farther away, nor will he return 

 to the nest until the person objected to has retired. 

 I have seen a nest close to the edge of water on a 

 cliff in the Isle of Wight. 



It will be noticed that in places where the Stone- 

 chat is common, the Whinchat will be conspicuous 

 by its absence. Railway embankments are 

 favourite resorts of the latter, and its call-note is 

 very similar to the Stonechat's, and one as well 

 as the other can readily be attracted by giving a 

 short whistle while also knocking two small stones 

 together, e.g., thu-tick, thu-tick-tick. 



About the time the young are hatched, the long 

 8 



