WHINCHAT. 273 



perching on one of the uppermost twigs. There is one 

 difference between the Whinchat and the Stonechat which 

 must be mentioned. A considerable number of Stonechats 

 pass the winter in Britain ; but the Whinchats, almost to 

 a bird, depart in autumn to go farther south. The si- 

 milarity in various points between these two birds has 

 induced a partial belief that the Whinchats, like the Stone- 

 chats, remained here during the winter. Pennant thought 

 they did not migrate, only shifted their quarters ; but I 

 am not aware of more than two authentic instances of 

 the Whinchat being seen here in winter, one in Cam- 

 bridgeshire, and one in Devonshire. 



The Whinchat makes its appearance in the southern 

 and south-eastern parts of this country about the 

 middle of April, and arrives in the northern counties by 

 the end of that month : it does not, however, begin to 

 build so soon as the Stonechat, but is usually about a 

 fortnight later. Its song is agreeable, generally given from 

 an elevated position on a furze-bush, or while hovering 

 in the air over it. Like most song birds, it is prone to 

 imitate the notes of others ; and the Whinchat appears to 

 have been an especial favourite with Mr. Sweet, who was 

 well known for his partiality to, and successful treatment of, 

 the Warblers in confinement, and has published his me- 

 thod of treatment. One of these birds brought up from 

 the nest by Mr. Sweet used to sing the whole day through, 

 and very often at night : it sang the notes of the White- 

 throat, Redstart, Willow Warbler, Missel Thrush, and 

 Nightingale. The food of the Whinchat is worms, in- 

 sects, small testaceous mollusca, slugs, and berries. 



The nest, generally placed on the ground, is similar to 

 that of the Stonechat, formed with a little moss and bents 

 of grass, lined with finer bents : the eggs, five or six, of a 



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