THE WHEAT-EAR. 



this particular spot. Their services in the extirpation of 

 the above-mentioned wire-worms may be best imagined 

 from the fact that after the advent of the birds the field 

 became productive, and a first-rate crop was the result of 

 their labours and assiduity. 



The* flight is easy, low down, and tolerably rapid ; it 

 may be described as being "a series of short starts/' 

 the white part of the plumage of the back being very con- 

 spicuous. When disturbed, the bird very quickly flies over 

 some low hedge, or gets behind some object large enough to 

 screen it from view ; it runs nimbly along the ground, and is 

 fond of perching on low walls, stumps, stones, or rails. 

 The song is sweet, with a harsh note here and there, and 

 frequently prolonged; it is often uttered by the bird as 

 it hovers about the nest " with flickering wings and ex- 

 panded tail/' In captivity it sings both by day and night, 

 and sometimes throughout the winter. 



Open places like the downs and commons already named 

 are the favourite resorts of the Wheat-ear ; but it may not 

 unfrequently be seen in the wake of the plough, especially 

 where the land under cultivation is close to the downs or 

 commons afore-mentioned. 



Two distinct kinds of Wheat-ear visit this country. 

 The larger bird, or Greater Wheat-ear, which does not 

 arrive until the middle of April, resembles the ordinary 

 species in plumage, but it is larger, the dark ear-coverts 

 are more edged with brown, so also is the back; the 

 legs are longer and stouter, and the bird is much wilder 

 in disposition and habits. It may often be seen perched 

 on bushes and low trees. 



The Common Wheat-ear is about six inches in length ; 

 the bill is black from the base to the eyes, and forms an 



