340 SYLVIID.-K. 



districts and repair to more sheltered situations, under such 

 circumstances especially frequenting sheep-folds. At most 

 seasons of the year this lively little bird may be seen flitting 

 from bush to bush, restless and noisy, almost always perching 

 on an elevated twig or rail, and seldom remaining long in 

 one spot. From such a position it drops to the ground in 

 quest of its prey, some insect or small worm, and rapidly 

 returns to its post. The song of the male, often uttered while 

 fluttering in the air, is short, but pleasing, and his brig) it 

 colours and sprightly habits make him an attractive feature 

 in many an otherwise dreary landscape. 



The Stonechat begins to build early in April : the nest is 

 large, and usually placed on or near the ground at the base 

 of a bush ; the outside of one, now before me, is constructed 

 of moss and strong grass, lined with fine bents, hairs and a 

 few small feathers. The female lays five or six eggs of a 

 pale greenish-blue, closely mottled with fine and occasionally 

 confluent specks of pale reddish-brown, which are sometimes 

 collected in a zone. They measure from '74 to '67 by from 

 61 to *51 in. The young are usually hatched by the middle 

 of May ; and the parents are then clamorous and bold, prac- 

 tising various tricks to entice intruders from their nest. 



The Stonechat, though local, breeds in all the counties of 

 Great Britain. It is very rare in Orkney and rarer still in 

 Shetland. In Ireland it is common and resident throughout 

 the island, but Mr. Blake-Knox has noticed that from June 

 to October it is scarce, while its numbers increase in autumn. 



The range of this species in Europe is somewhat peculiar. 

 It is not found in Norway, and according to Prof. Nilsson has 

 only once been met with in Sweden, namely, at Malmo, just 

 opposite to the coast of Denmark, in which country it has, 

 says Dr. Kjaerbolling, been only twice observed. It has 

 occurred in Heligoland, but is rare in Oldenburg and not 

 common in Minister. Though reported to breed in Holstein 

 and Lauenburg and to occur in Mecklenburg, it seems in 

 North Germany to be only an accidental visitor to the right 

 of the Elbe, and there is no trace of it further to the east- 

 ward than Western Pomerania, where it has been once met 



