AMONGST THE HEATHER AND GORSE. 25 



a safe and welcome roosting place for the flocks 

 that resort to the stubbles and weed -grown wastes 

 near the sea at that season. 



Another equally conspicuous bird in these 

 localities is the Stonechat. In many parts of 

 the north of England the Stonechat is a regular 

 migrant, leaving the gorse coverts entirely during 

 the winter months; but in this favoured southern 

 county it may be seen amongst them right through 

 the year. It may be readily identified by its 

 black head and white neck patches, as well as by 

 its oft-repeated and monotonous double note of 

 wee-chic. It is a somewhat shy and restless little 

 bird, becoming especially so when its nesting place 

 is invaded. Sometimes for minutes together it 

 will sit in one position upon the summit of a furze 

 bush, uttering its note at intervals ; but if ap- 

 proached too closely it flits off in a drooping, 

 unsteady manner to another bush, soon perhaps to 

 be joined by its mate, which follows precisely the 

 same antics. The nest, with its blue eggs faintly 

 speckled with rusty brown, is most cunningly 

 concealed amongst the long dry grass at the foot 

 of a bush, and its whereabouts are seldom betrayed 

 directly by the birds themselves. Many a pleasant 



