6 WHIN GHAT. 



Nest. May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. In holes in the ground, often in disused rabbit-burrow, 

 amongst heaps of stones, in stone walls, in banks, under clod 

 of turf, &c., and always well concealed. 



Materials. Dry grass, roots, moss, wool, and hair, loosely 

 put together. 



Eggs. Five, six, or more. Pale greenish blue ; sometimes 

 faintly freckled at the large end with rusty or purple. 



WHINCHAT (Pratincola rubetra.) 



Migrant ; April to October. Possibly some remain throughout 

 the winter, in mild parts. Local, though pretty generally dis- 

 tributed throughout Great Britain, rarer towards the North. 

 Very local in Ireland. 



Haunts. Open commons, heathy hillsides, and meadow 

 lands, where there are furze-tracts, but it is by no means so 

 inseparable from furze-clad wastes as the Stonechat. 



Plumage. Upper parts dusky brown ; feathers edged with 

 reddish yellow, white stripe over eye. Lores and cheeks dark 

 brown. Throat and sides of neck white. Wings dark brown 

 with white spot. Tail dark brown ; basal portion white. 

 Throat and breast yellowish red ; under parts yellowish white. 

 Bill and legs black. Length 5J in. Female, duller colouring, 

 white spot on wing smaller, and eye-stripe buff. Young much 

 resemble female, but breast more spotted. 



Language. Song, a pleasing warble ; short, impetuous, and 

 rather resembling the Redstart's. While singing it fans its 

 tail. Call-note, " utic-utac " or " uchack." Note of anxiety, a 

 weak " tzwee." 



Habits. Partial to grass-lands (hence Grasschat). Fond of 

 perching on the summit of low, stunted bushes, all the while 

 fidgeting extremely, fanning its tail, and making little excur- 

 sions into the air with undulating flight to take an insect, and 

 returning to the same bush or one adjacent. Most of its food 

 is obtained on the ground. Flight fairly rapid and direct. 



Food. Largely insects and their larvae, spiders, grubs, wire- 

 worms, and small beetles. 



Nest. May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. On the ground, under clod of grass, under thick furze 

 or other bush, always studiously concealed usually a little 

 tortuous tunnel through the tangle leading to the nest. 



Materials. Bents, grass, rootlets, and moss, loosely com- 

 pacted, lined with finer materials and hair. 



Eggs. Four to six. Greenish blue, not unlike the Hedge 

 Sparrow's. Sometimes faintly speckled and zoned with red- 

 brown. 



