THE STONE-CHAT. 23 



at the larger end. The female sits very closely, and 

 when compelled to leave the nest generally hops about on 

 the neighbouring bushes for a little while, and then sud- 

 denly disappears, returning unperceived to her nest 

 through the friendly shelter of the surrounding cover. 

 Should the nest be interfered with, both birds become 

 clamorous and daring, resorting to many artifices to in- 

 duce the unwelcome visitor to quit the locality. 



The flight of the Stone-chat is somewhat peculiar ; it 

 seems when leaving its perch to dive as it were to the 

 ground, and reappears only when it has reached the next 

 spot on which it means to settle. 



Although this little bird remains with us throughout 

 the year, it would seem to be partially migratory in its 

 habits, forsaking some localities in the fall of the year 

 and returning again in the spring. During the winter 

 months the Stone -chat generally associates in small parties 

 of three or four; they take up their quarters in small 

 gardens, &c., on the outskirts of towns or villages, and con- 

 fine their rambles to very restricted limits, seldom exceeding 

 a mile in extent. At these times they are very methodica 

 in their movements, and can usually be seen at a certain 

 time in a certain place for many days in succession. They 

 have a peculiar call-note used by both sexes, when they 

 have young, resembling the syllable " chuck." Any 

 observant person accustomed to these birds can tell in a 

 moment whether they have a young family or not, by 

 listening for this particular note. 



The length of the Stone-chat is a little more than five 

 inches. The head, cheeks, and throat are black, with a 

 slight shade of brown ; the back is black, deeply edged 

 with brown ; upper tail-coverts white, speckled with 



